INDONESIA - JUNE 6 AVIAN INFLUENZA UPDATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 JAKARTA 001113 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, G/AIAG, L/DL, EAP/EX, AND OES/IHA USAID FOR ANE/CLEMENTS AND GH/CARROLL DEPT ALSO PASS TO HHS/WSTEIGER/MSTLOUIS AND HHS/NIH DEPT ALSO PASS TO DOJ for OFL GENEVA FOR WHO/HOHMAN USDA/FAS/OSTA BRANT, ROSENBLUM USDA/APHIS ANNELLI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO EAGR AMGT KFLU PGOV ID SUBJECT: INDONESIA - JUNE 6 AVIAN INFLUENZA UPDATE ¶1. (SBU) Summary. In a move that surprised many of her subordinates, Minister of Health Siti Fadilah Supari has told her staff to no longer report avian influenza (AI) human deaths to the World Health Organization after they've been confirmed by Ministry of Health (MOH) laboratories. Indonesian press currently reports Indonesian case fatalities at 109 deaths, while WHO officially lists the deaths at 108. The in-depth assessment of USG funded AI activities in Indonesia began on June 4 with a two-day launch workshop and will continue through June 25. The National Committee for Avian Influenza Control and Pandemic Preparedness (KOMNAS) hosted a May 29 stock taking meeting to review Avian Influenza (AI) strategies and control measures. USAID hosted a follow-up meeting with donors on 30 May to review KOMNAS findings and discuss implications for future donor support -------------- Supari Policy to Stop Reporting Deaths -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On June 4, the Associated Press reported that Indonesia will no longer formally announce AI deaths, as part of a new policy to improve Indonesia's image. Minister of Health Supari is quoted as wanting to focus on positive achievements made by the government in combating bird flu. She notes she will eventually share the data, but in batches. According to embassy sources, many Ministry of Health (MOH) officials, including key officials, were surprised to hear the announcement and do not agree with the policy. One official told us that this change is not in compliance with Indonesian national law or international heath regulations and that he is writing the Minister to notify her that she is required by law to notify the public as quickly as possible about infectious disease threats. The MOH is convening a meeting on June 7 to review the policy. ¶3. (SBU) The WHO website lists Indonesia with 133 cases with 108 deaths, while Indonesian press reports 109 deaths. However, in a MOH powerpoint presentation, Dr. Nyoman Kandun, Director General of Centers for Disease Control, used a slide listing 136 cases and 110 deaths. An official with WHO told us that they do not report cases officially until announced by the Minister's office. WHO has inquired why the last several cases discussed in the press have not been announced but have not received a response. According to WHO staff, WHO's country representative does not think meeting with the minister will be helpful. -------------- INDONESIA'S INDEPTH AI REVIEW BEGINS -------------- ¶4. (U) The Embassy launched its the Avian Influenza in-depth review on June 4. The assessment will end on 25 June. The assessment team will meet with Indonesian veterinary and health officials, civil society and private sector representatives, and other donors. Presentations during the first week included site visits and briefings on Mission expectations for the assessment, the USG program, highlights from the KOMNAS and USAID meetings (May 29-30), Ministry of Agriculture strategy revisions, and REDI Centre project highlights. ¶5. (U) The review team members are: Joy Riggs-Perla, Team Leader, Global Health (GH)