Cablegate: Avian Influenza Update: Guangdong Health Authorities On

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R 170903Z SEP 07
FM AMCONSUL GUANGZHOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6468
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
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RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHINGTON DC//J2/J3/J5//
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI//J00/J2/J3/J5//
RUEORDA/DIRAFMIC FT DETRICK MD//MA-1A//

UNCLAS GUANGZHOU 001048

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STATE FOR EAP/CM, AIAG, OES/IHA, MED
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR ANE AND GH
CDC FOR OGHA AND DIV-FLU
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FOR OSD/ISA/AP
HHS PASS TO FIC/NIH
USDA PASS TO APHIS, FAS (OSTA AND OCRA), FSIS
BANGKOK FOR RMO, CDC, USAID
BEIJING FOR HHS HEALTH ATTACHE AND RMO
PHNOM PENH FOR CDC INFLUENZA COORDINATOR
VIENTIANE FOR CDC INFLUENZA COORDINATOR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO AMED AMGT CASC EAGR PINR KFLU CH
SUBJECT: Avian Influenza Update: Guangdong Health Authorities on
High Alert after Avian Flu Incident

1. (SBU) Director of the Guangdong Veterinary Center of Epidemic
Prevention and Control Yu Yedong confirmed media reports that the
Ministry of Agriculture on September 15 had reported a suspected
case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Guangzhou's Panyu
District. Yu told us that test results on samples sent to the
National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory could be available the
evening of September 17. The Guangdong Department of Health reports
that no human avian flu cases have yet been discovered, and notes
that it has alerted hospitals and clinics to increase vigilance in
flu-like cases and pneumonia with unknown causes.

A Window of Opportunity
-----------------------

2. (SBU) According to Yu, of the 32,630 ducks reported dead, 20,100
received their first vaccinations less than thirteen days previous;
this figure was based on the original vaccination records. Mr. Yu
explained that although vaccines were applied when the ducks were
10-20 days old -- the best time for vaccination -- 21 days is
normally required for full antibody development. He thought that
the affected ducks probably contracted the disease before the
immunization had taken effect. Though he did not speculate as to
the source of the virus, Yu said the authorities had officially
dismissed their suspicions of the quality of the vaccine after
examining the timeline.

3. (U) According to official media reports, 9,830 ducks died
September 5-13 in Sixian Village, Xinzao Town, Panyu District,
Guangzhou. On September 14, the Guangdong Veterinary Center of
Epidemic Prevention and Control used the fluorescent quantitative
PCR method to detect a suspected H5N1 strain of avian influenza.

4. (U) As part of its emergency response plan, the Panyu Government
culled the 32,630 ducks noted in para 2 as of September 14.
Additionally, official media report that road blocks have been set
up outside the infected village and that inspection staff are on
duty around the clock to make sure that ducks are not transported
outside the area for sale. Poultry markets in all ten villages in
the town have been closed and health authorities have declared more
than 130,000 chickens and ducks farmed in these villages unfit for
sale. Hong Kong media report that Guangdong will embark on an
emergency poultry vaccination program to safeguard the unaffected
poultry population.

GOLDBERG

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