Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ISLAMABAD2200
2008-06-23 12:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
PAKISTAN: AI OUTBREAK IN THE NWFP
how-toVZCZCXRO0982 RR RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHIL #2200 1751210 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 231210Z JUN 08 FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7481 INFO RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC 4236 RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 8762 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 3425 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 8149 RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI 9918 RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE 5662 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR 4431
UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002200
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU TBIO EAGR AMGT CASC PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN: AI OUTBREAK IN THE NWFP
UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002200
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU TBIO EAGR AMGT CASC PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN: AI OUTBREAK IN THE NWFP
1. (SBU) Summary: Pakistani authorities confirmed on June 21 an
outbreak of avian influenza (AI) in poultry on a commercial breeding
farm in the Swabi district of the Northwest Frontier Province
(NWFP). To date this season, 112,000 chickens have died from the
disease or been culled in ten separate poultry outbreaks. There are
currently no suspected cases of AI in humans. End Summary.
2. (SBU) Pakistan's National Reference Laboratory for Avian
Influenza (NRLAI) confirmed on June 21 the presence of highly
pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (AI) at a commercial poultry farm in
the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP). The farm, located in the
Swabi district, commercially raised broiler birds. 4,000 birds died
from the infection and an additional 2,000 were culled after the
confirmation of H5N1. World Health Organization (WHO) staff
supervised the culling of the farm's remaining birds. Animal health
officials are reportedly examining all birds being transported in
and around the Swabi area. People living within a three kilometer
radius of the outbreak site are under observation. There are
currently no suspected cases of AI in humans.
3. (SBU) The last reported outbreak of AI was in Karachi at the end
of February 2008. The Swabi outbreak is the tenth confirmed poultry
outbreak in Pakistan during the 2007 - 2008 migratory bird season,
with more than 112,000 birds dead or culled so far.
4. (SBU) Comment: Poultry outbreaks are historically first reported
in northern Pakistan, gradually spreading south to the provinces of
Punjab and Sindh. This outbreak does not follow the traditional
pattern and comes relatively late in the season. Avian Influenza is
endemic in poultry in Pakistan; limited outbreak activity is not
surprising. End Comment.
PATTERSON
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU TBIO EAGR AMGT CASC PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN: AI OUTBREAK IN THE NWFP
1. (SBU) Summary: Pakistani authorities confirmed on June 21 an
outbreak of avian influenza (AI) in poultry on a commercial breeding
farm in the Swabi district of the Northwest Frontier Province
(NWFP). To date this season, 112,000 chickens have died from the
disease or been culled in ten separate poultry outbreaks. There are
currently no suspected cases of AI in humans. End Summary.
2. (SBU) Pakistan's National Reference Laboratory for Avian
Influenza (NRLAI) confirmed on June 21 the presence of highly
pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (AI) at a commercial poultry farm in
the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP). The farm, located in the
Swabi district, commercially raised broiler birds. 4,000 birds died
from the infection and an additional 2,000 were culled after the
confirmation of H5N1. World Health Organization (WHO) staff
supervised the culling of the farm's remaining birds. Animal health
officials are reportedly examining all birds being transported in
and around the Swabi area. People living within a three kilometer
radius of the outbreak site are under observation. There are
currently no suspected cases of AI in humans.
3. (SBU) The last reported outbreak of AI was in Karachi at the end
of February 2008. The Swabi outbreak is the tenth confirmed poultry
outbreak in Pakistan during the 2007 - 2008 migratory bird season,
with more than 112,000 birds dead or culled so far.
4. (SBU) Comment: Poultry outbreaks are historically first reported
in northern Pakistan, gradually spreading south to the provinces of
Punjab and Sindh. This outbreak does not follow the traditional
pattern and comes relatively late in the season. Avian Influenza is
endemic in poultry in Pakistan; limited outbreak activity is not
surprising. End Comment.
PATTERSON