Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CAIRO138
2009-01-27 09:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:  

EGYPT ENTERS THE BRAVE NEW WORLD OF HIGH

Tags:  TBIO PARM PGOV ECON KFLU KSTH KSCA EAGR EG 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5688
PP RUEHAST RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHPB RUEHPOD RUEHTM RUEHTRO
DE RUEHEG #0138/01 0270903
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 270903Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1472
INFO RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 CAIRO 000138 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

NEA/ELA FOR SCHALL, ISN/CTR FOR KCHITTENDEN AND LHICKOCK,
ENERGY FOR RSALERNO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO PARM PGOV ECON KFLU KSTH KSCA EAGR EG
SUBJECT: EGYPT ENTERS THE BRAVE NEW WORLD OF HIGH
CONTAINMENT LABS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 CAIRO 000138

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

NEA/ELA FOR SCHALL, ISN/CTR FOR KCHITTENDEN AND LHICKOCK,
ENERGY FOR RSALERNO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO PARM PGOV ECON KFLU KSTH KSCA EAGR EG
SUBJECT: EGYPT ENTERS THE BRAVE NEW WORLD OF HIGH
CONTAINMENT LABS


1. (SBU) Summary and comment: Five Egyptian research
organizations are planning to build Biosafety Level Three
(BSL-3) laboratories in which they can work with indigenous
or exotic agents like Rift Valley Fever and strains of highly
pathogenic avian influenza (AI). Three of the groups, VSVRI,
the state-subsidized animal vaccine monopoly, VACSERA, the
state-owned human vaccine monopoly, and CLEVB, the GOE's
animal vaccine regulator, have the financial wherewithal to
build the labs. The other two groups-- the Ministries of
Health and Population (MOHP) and Agriculture and Land
Reclamation (MALR)-- have strong support from ministers who
view BSL-3 labs as prestigious "must have" projects. None of
the groups, however, are likely to be able to construct, let
alone operate, a safe BSL-3 facility without U.S. technical
assistance. All the organizations have received assistance
from the U.S. Department of State's Biosecurity Engagement
Program (BEP) and the U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3
(NAMRU-3). End summary and comment.

-------------- --------------
BIOSAFETY LEVEL 3 LABS CRITICAL LINK IN BIOSAFETY
-------------- --------------


2. (SBU) The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have
published safety guidelines for labs that handle infectious
microorganisms. These guidelines cover practices, equipment,
and facilities (everything from access to drinking
fountains),and they vary depending on the work to be done
and the threat posed by the virus or bacteria involved. The
guidelines speak in terms of biosafety levels 1, 2, 3, and
4-- the higher the number, the greater the risk, and the more
demanding the precautions required to protect lab workers,
the environment and the community. A BSL-3 lab is designed to
safely handle agents which, when inhaled, may cause serious
injury or death. NAMRU-3 currently operates the only BSL-3
lab in Egypt, although has the ability to upgrade to BSL-4 in

less than 24 hours, if necessary.

--------------
THE EGYPTIAN BSL PLAYERS
--------------


3. (SBU) VSVRI, VACSERA and CLEVB may need BSL-3 facilities
to do the work they plan to do, and they have the cash or the
financing in place to proceed with the projects. The Ministry
of Health and Population and Ministry of Agriculture and Lab
Reclamation labs need BSL-3 facilities, but they do not have
the financial wherewithal to proceed with construction at
this time. VSVRI has broken ground and is expected to
complete the first Egyptian-owned BSL-3 lab. At least two
Egyptian universities also have BSL-3 aspirations: Ain Shams
and Beni Sueif. Ain Shams has begun the process; sources
indicate it is probably 6 months to a year away from opening
a BSL-3 lab. Beni Sueif has just begun the process, and its
prospects for success are uncertain.

--------------
USG TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO DATE
--------------


4. (SBU) Biosecurity and counter-terrorism experts agree that
bioterrorism is a critical threat to US security, and
insecure labs around the world are a major part of the
problem. Three separate groups, the National Intelligence
Council, Britain's IPPR Commission on National Security in
the 21st Century, and the Graham Commission, published
reports in late 2008 echoing these concerns. Against this
backdrop, the USG has rendered considerable technical
assistance to each of the five Egyptian organizations seeking
to build BSL-3 labs.



5. (SBU) In late July 2008, representatives of all five
Egyptian groups traveled to Sandia National Laboratories in
Albuquerque, New Mexico, to participate in a BEP-sponsored
training program, entitled "Controlling Laboratory Biorisks,"
at Sandia. The training, which ended August 4, 2008, included
a trip to Colorado State University's new BSL-3 facility in
Ft. Collins.


6. (SBU) In mid-November 2008, representatives from six USG
Agencies (DOS, USDA, HHS-CDC, DOE-Sandia, DOD-NAMRU-3 and the
FBI) met with the Egyptian organizations pursuing BSL-3 labs
in al-Ain al-Sokhna, Egypt for a BEP-sponsored BSL-3

CAIRO 00000138 002 OF 003


Planning, Programming and Operations Workshop. The
participants discussed their BSL plans and agreed on the
importance of a culture of biosecurity, risk assessments
tailored to Egypt's particular situation, international
support, a national strategy, training, and national
standards. Participants agreed MOHP and MALR needed BSL-3
capabilities to deal with emerging infectious diseases and
needed US technical assistance to build and operate high
containment labs. Some participants, while grateful for
NAMRU-3's support, stressed the need for Egyptian-owned BSL-3
facilities. After the workshop, BEP conducted follow-up
visits to MOHP, MALR, VACSERA and VSVRI. A BEP representative
also met with the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
briefed the Ministry on BEP's activities in Egypt.


7. (SBU) Sandia, BEP and NAMRU-3 continue to work with the
Egyptian organizations on risk assessments, assessments none
of the organizations had undertaken prior to the meeting in
Sokhna. Additionally, Dr. Mohamed Khalifa of MALR has agreed
to spearhead the creation of the Egyptian Biosafety
Association. BEP may fund this effort.

--------------
EGYPT: CROSSROADS FOR PANDEMIC DISEASES
--------------


8. (SBU) MOHP's Central Health Laboratories are located just
a few blocks from the American Embassy in Cairo. Dr. Hala
Esmat, the Director of the laboratories, makes a compelling
case for BSL-3 capability. Her laboratories routinely handle
AI and Rift Valley Fever viruses and other dangerous
pathogens. The labs storage cabinets contain these viruses as
well as anthrax bacteria and other "select agents." She and
her team are very concerned about AI and Rift Valley Fever,
which are endemic here, and the possible entry of these and
other diseases from Sudan, Libya and elsewhere. As Esmat put
it, "We live in a dangerous neighborhood." Esmat told us
MOHP Minister Hatem El-Gabaly ordered her to build a BSL-3
lab and told her the resources would be available to do so.
Dr. Nasr El-Sayid, the Minister's closest advisor, told
ESTHOff that BSL-3 capability would further burnish MOHP's
reputation as the go-to lab for certain African and the
Middle Eastern countries that rely on MOHP's reputation for
discretion. He said he routinely receives requests from
neighboring countries to conduct confidential lab tests on
samples.


9. (SBU) Comment: MOHP is a long way from being able to
construct and run a BSL-3 lab. Despite the Minister's
commitment to the project, there is no evidence the money is
available. Esmat also lacks a strong supporting team. End
Comment.

-------------- --------------
MIN. OF AGRICULTURE: "WE ARE THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE."
-------------- --------------


10. (SBU) MALR, like MOHP, stakes a strong claim for BSL-3
capabilities. In the words of Dr. Mohamed Khalifa Hassan,
Technical Manager for the Central Laboratory for Veterinary
Quality Control on Poultry Production (CLQP),Egypt is
Europe's backyard, and MALR is the West's first line of
defense against pandemic threats including AI and Rift Valley
Fever. AI has killed 23 of the 52 Egyptians it has afflicted
to date, and Rift Valley Fever killed 200 of the 400
Egyptians it struck during the last outbreak in 2003. Both
these diseases are endemic in Egypt.
MALR currently operates two laboratories: the Animal Health
Research Institute (AHRI) and CLPQ. According Dr. Mona Ali,
the Director of the labs, MALR Minister Amin Abaza is
committed to building a BSL-3 lab at its central Cairo
facility and, if the financing can be arranged, a separate
BSL-3 facility at the Agricultural Research Center outside of
Cairo that will be able to handle large animals.

--------------
STATUS OF ONGOING PROJECTS
--------------


11. (SBU) The Veterinary Serum and Vaccine Research Institute
(VSVRI),the GOE-backed animal vaccine monopoly located in
Abbasia near NAMRU-3, has the ready cash ($8 million) to
build a Foot and Mouth (F&M)vaccine production facility
incorporating BSL-3 capabilities and the additional resources

CAIRO 00000138 003 OF 003


($4.5 million) needed to refurbish an existing AI facility to
include a BSL-3 area. VSVRI has contracted with Atlas
Construction Company to build the F&M plant and construction
is underway. VSVRI's Deputy Director, Dr. Adel Azab, is
determined to incorporate BSL-3 capabilities into VSVRI's
facilities.


12. (SBU) VSVRI's next-door-neighbor, the Central Laboratory
for Evaluation of Veterinary Biologics (CLEVB),has also
taken a few steps toward establishing a BSL-3 facility. CLEVB
is the GOE's gatekeeper for all would-be animal vaccines. It
tests all imported and locally-produced animal vaccines for
safety and efficacy. No animal vaccine is used in this
country without CLEVB's seal of approval. CLEVB has begun to
renovate space in its Abbasia facility, which is located
adjacent to VSVRI. Dr. Elham El-Ebiary, CLEVB's Director,
told ESTHOff CLEVB has secured a credit line of 8 million
Egyptian pounds (LE) from the Islamic Development Bank.


13. (SBU) In a visit to CLEVB late last year, ESTHOff was
allowed to inspect CLEVB's poultry vaccine challenge test
area, which is located in the building's basement. Several
trials were underway involving chickens and ducks in several
different rooms. There was little effort to comply with
biosafety standards. The rooms were not sealed. The stench in
the hallway was overpowering. The facility appeared to be
unsuitable for a BSL-3 lab.


14. (SBU) The Holding Company for Biological Products and
Vaccines (VACSERA) in Agouza, Giza, the Ministry of Finance's
human vaccine monopoly, is taking a more cautious approach to
BSL-3. Of all the entities pursuing the BSL-3 Holy Grail,
VACSERA, with its 4,200 employees, $100 million in annual
sales, state-of-the-art production facilities, Ministry of
Finance backing, and strong management, seems to be the best
positioned to build a BSL-3 lab. MOHP Minister El-Gabaly
recently announced that the GOE was increasing its efforts to
produce an AI vaccine effective against a pandemic virus
before any outbreak, a so-called "pre-pandemic" vaccine. Dr.
Abdul Rahman Shahin, MOHP's spokesperson, has confirmed that
VACSERA is tasked to work on a human H5N1 vaccine project.
VACSERA welcomes USG help with BSL efforts.

--------------
NEXT STEPS: A BRAVE NEW WORLD
--------------


15. (SBU) Comment: The USG's efforts in support of BSL-3
projects in Egypt have generated an enormous amount of
goodwill with the groups who want to build the labs, and the
ministries involved. Representatives of the five Egyptian
groups have repeatedly expressed their appreciation for this
support, and the groups have granted BEP unfettered access to
their plans and their facilities. Embassy Cairo, including
NAMRU-3, strongly supports the BEP initiatives here. In the
interest of biosafety and enhancing our cooperation with key
governmental and academic entities, the USG should continue
to make every effort to insure that the BSL-3 labs are built
and run safely and securely.
SCOBEY