MGSF01: NIGERIA SAYS IT HAS NO SWINE FLU

UNCLAS ABUJA 000747

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT PASS USAID FOR GH/HIDN, AFR/WA AND AFR/SD
BAGHDAD FOR DUNDAS MCCULLOUGH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR
AMGT, MG, NI
SUBJECT: MGSF01: NIGERIA SAYS IT HAS NO SWINE FLU

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OUTSIDE OF U.S.
GOVERNMENT


1. (SBU) Contacts at the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health and
Avian Flu Lab scientists employed by the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) concur that there are currently NO/NO
confirmed cases of swine flu in Nigeria. As a precaution to an
outbreak of swine flu, the Government of Nigeria (GON) has issued an
alert and assured Nigerians through the press that measures are in
place to tackle a possible epidemic. CDC, USAID and WHO are working
with the local Avian Influenza (AI) Technical Working Group to
develop a swine flu specific national response plan. The Technical
Working Group, experienced in influenza control measures from
previous avian flu outbreaks in Nigeria, consists of experts from
the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Defense, and Information and
the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and considers the
current threat level for Nigeria as very low. AgAttach reports
that some neighboring countries are restricting trade of pork
products due to fears associated with swine flu despite the fact
that swine influenza is not transmitted by pork or pork products.
Nigeria has a long standing ban on pork products for market
protection reasons, but allows in swine for breeding.


2. (U) The Ministry of Health and the Avian and Pandemic Influenza
Preparedness and Control Center have issued swine flu alerts to
federal, state and local health authorities to heighten surveillance
and monitoring of flu-like and respiratory diseases, particularly
among normally healthy young adults. Other activities such as
inventorying of protective equipment and anti-viral treatment drugs
are also taking place.

(3)(U) Minister of Health Professor Babatunde Osotimehin in a
statement issued to the press on the night of April 27 stated that
surveillance has been strengthened at all ports of entry into the
country and at the local, state and federal government levels. He
also stated that the government is in consultation with
international health organizations on the matter, adding that the
GON was fully prepared to contain any outbreak of the flu with
adequate stockpiles of Tamiflu, the drug of choice for treatment.
He urged all clinicians and health workers to report any suspected
case of swine flu to his ministry.


4. (SBU) The Avian Influenza Technical Working Group is preparing a
draft strategy for the AI Steering Committee's approval. (Note:
the AI Steering Committee is led by the President and consists of
the Ministers of Health, Agriculture, Information and Defense and
the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency.
End Note). The strategy is to review the current AI national
response plan and incorporate measures to tackle a potential swine
flu outbreak. The plan will outline means for increased
surveillance and laboratory tracking of the flu, and improved
information flow to clinicians and the public on danger signs of the
disease and available medical care.


5. (U) Mission will monitor the situation closely and report any
changes.


6. (U) This cable was coordinated with Consulate Lagos.

SANDERS