JAPAN AVIAN INFLUENZA UPDATE: H5N1 AVIAN INFLUENZA STRAIN

UNCLAS SAPPORO 000031 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AIAG AMBASSADOR LANGE; DEPT FOR EAP/J AND OES/IHA; USDA PASS TO APHIS; HHS PASS TO CDC; HHS FOR OGHA STEIGER AND HICKEY; DEPT PASS TO AID/GH/HIDN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU TBIO KSTH ECON PREL SOCI CASC JA SUBJECT: JAPAN AVIAN INFLUENZA UPDATE: H5N1 AVIAN INFLUENZA STRAIN FOUND IN MIGRATORY SWANS IN NORTHERN JAPAN The H5N1 strain of avain influenza virus has been detected in three dead and one dying migratory swan near Lake Towada in Northern Japan's Akita Prefecture on April 21, 2008. The Japan Science and Technology Agency's National Institute of Animal Health in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture tested the birds and the result was made public on the 29th. Actions Taken by Akita Prefecture Akita Prefecture will conduct on-site inspections April 30 and May 1 at fifteen farms within a radius of 30km of where the dead swans were found. Roughly 42,000 birds will be subject to the inspections. In addition to the on-site inspections, the prefecture surveyed 220 poultry farms by phone. Akita Prefecture authorities have already checked migratory bird areas in the prefecture, but found no additional affected birds. Adjacent Aomori Prefecture (Lake Towada straddles the border) reported April 30 that one weakened swan was caught April 18 and died April 20. Too much time, however, had passed for an accurate test for the virus in that bird. Akita Prefecture has established contact numbers for poultry farm owners. Health centers in Akita are also taking calls on health concerns from residents. Actions Taken by Poultry Farmers Akita Prefecture is known for its free-range "Hinai-jidori" (Hinai brand chicken). Most poultry farms within the 30km radius have put netting over their yards to prevent any direct contact with wild birds or have temporarily put chickens in vinyl greenhouses. Firms have been sterilizing surrounding facilities using hydrated slack lime and limit entrance to designated personnel only. Actions Taken by Hokkaido Prefecture Our contact at the Hokkaido Prefectural Government in the Department of Health and Welfare, Bureau of Health and Medical Affairs, Public Health Promotion Division told us the Hokkaido Prefectural Government was informed by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare about the case in Akita and they called an action group meeting April 28 to discuss countermeasures among departments responsible for farms, wild bird populations, and public heath, as well as the police. Because Akita's case was associated with swans, migratory bird areas were investigated all around Hokkaido. No additional cases were found. All 14 sub-prefectural governmental offices were notified to take proper action if dead birds are found on the road or in residential areas and reported by residents. All prefectures have an avian flu manual and are prepared for contingencies. This cable was cleared with Embassy Tokyo. WELTON