Cablegate: Croatia Maintains Vigilence On Avian Influenza

VZCZCXRO0523
RR RUEHAST
DE RUEHVB #1241 2861040
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 131040Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6783
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC
RHEFAFM/CDRAFMIC FT DETRICK MD
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
RUEHRC/USDA WASHDC

UNCLAS ZAGREB 001241

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT PLEASE PASS TO DS/DSS, DS/IP, M/MED/JCTRIPLETT
FAS/CMP/DLP WETZEL AND MAGGINNIS
FAS/ITP/EAMED POMEROY AND FLEMING
CA/OCS/ACS KIM CHRISTMAN
USAID FOR E&E/ECA/B/ANNE CONVERY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SENV ECON EAGR PREL CASC KFLU HR
SUBJECT: CROATIA MAINTAINS VIGILENCE ON AVIAN INFLUENZA

REF: ZAGREB 740 AND PREVIOUS

1. Scientists at the Croatian Veterinary Institute's Poultry Center
plan to begin active monitoring of wild, migratory birds this month,
beginning October 21 and continuing through December. Dr. Vladimir
Savic, center director, told Econoff the center is collaborating
with the State Veterinary Office and local ornithologists.

2. Wild, migratory birds likely to carry the virus will be captured
at lakes, fishponds and other habitats where they normally rest.
Ornithologists are purchasing special equipment (rocket nets and
traps) for capturing wild birds. The birds will be tested and
released, unharmed, Dr. Savic said.

3. There have been no cases of Avian Influenza in Croatia since
April.

4. Responding to an article on U.S. surveillance of avian influenza
(Washington File, Oct. 11, 2006), Dr. Savic said, so far, H5N1
viruses isolated in wild birds in the Western Hemisphere are
different in origin from those viruses isolated in Eurasia. Dr.
Savic said it shows the Eurasian H5N1 virus is more likely to reach
the Western Hemisphere through poultry trade and smuggling than by
bird migration as U.S. scientists feared.

BRADTKE

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