VZCZCXRO9486
OO RUEHDBU
DE RUEHKB #0356/01 0651516
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 061516Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY BAKU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9798
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 1519
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0286
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY 0197
RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA SZ PRIORITY 0151

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAKU 000356 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/CARC AND EUR/PGI, ALSO OES 
DEPT PLEASE PASS USAID 
ANKARA FOR AGRICULTURAL COUNSELOR 
GENEVA FOR HEALTH ATTACHE 
ROME FOR FAO REPRESENTATIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/06/2016 
TAGS: EAGR EAID PGOV KFLU CASC AJ
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND EU TROIKA RAISE CONCERNS WITH PM ON 
AVIAN INFLUENZA; SUSPICIOUS HUMAN ILLNESS BEING INVESTIGATED 
 
REF: A. A) BAKU 329 AND PREVIOUS 
 
     ¶B. B) 05 BAKU 1892 
 
Classified By: DCM JASON P. HYLAND; REASONS 1.4 (B,D) 
 
¶1. (C) SUMAMRY: In a March 6 meeting requested by the 
Ambassador and EU Troika (EU Commission, German Ambassador, 
French Charge) to highlight common concerns about 
Azerbaijan's handling of avian influenza problems, Prime 
Minister Artur Rasi-zade, welcomed international expertise in 
dealing with the AI threat, contradicting what his First 
Deputy Prime Minister told us just days before.  He also 
agreed in principle that a compensation plan for farmers was 
necessary.  Following press reports of six suspicious human 
illnesses and the deaths of two young people from 
Azerbaijan's rural Salyan region, Rasi-zade claimed that the 
Health Ministry ruled out avian influenza in all eight cases. 
 Separately, Post learned that the Azerbaijan State 
Veterinary Service (SVS) on February 28 contacted the 
Weybridge, UK reference laboratory for the first time and 
planned to send 17 samples from wild birds and poultry for 
verification.  In addition, Post's avian influenza working 
group met March 6 to review the situation, Post's tripwires 
(ref B), and identify additional action required.  Post has 
increased our efforts to ensure appropriate human samples are 
sent for international testing.  We are also Qeparing a 
coQngency wardenQessage in the event of confirmed human 
infection.  END SUMMARY. 
 
PRIME MINISTER SUPPORTIVE 
------------------------- 
 
¶2. (C) On March 6, the Ambassador and EU Troika called on PM 
Rasi-zade to express strong common concern over the GOAJ's 
avian influenza efforts.  The German Ambassador stressed that 
AI was a global problem.  However, national governments, like 
Azerbaijan, had the first responsibility to deal with the 
problem.  With international media interest in Azerbaijan 
increasing, transparency and action from the GOAJ was now 
critical.  Failure to act would cause a negative image for 
Azerbaijan.  The French Charge noted that the struggle 
against AI was a matter of trust; the international community 
needed the GOAJ to be actively engaged.  The Ambassador 
stressed that the international community looked to cooperate 
with Azerbaijan.  However, in light of the threat to humans, 
the GOAJ needed to address four areas immediately: active 
surveillance of poultry throughout the country, effective 
quarantine and biosafety mechanisms, a broad public 
information campaign, and a compensation scheme to induce the 
public to report suspicious bird deaths.  All of these areas 
would be helped, he said, by the rigorous implementation of 
the GOAJ action plan, drawing on international expertise. 
 
¶3. (C) Rasi-zade, in contrast to his deputy (DPM Abbas 
Abbasov) welcomed international expert assistance, in 
addition to equipment and supplies from donors.  (NOTE: In a 
March 1 meeting with donors, DPM Abbasov took a much harsher 
line, see ref A).  He expressed concern that unscrupulous 
businessmen would take advantage of any GOAJ compensation 
plan.  He opined that Azerbaijan first needed to get rid of 
avian flu and then work on a compensation plan.  He recapped 
GOAJ avian influenza efforts to date and claimed that the 
GOAJ cooperated closely with the World Bank and Asian 
Development Bank.  On unconfirmed reports of suspicious human 
cases, Rasi-zade claimed that the Ministry of Health had 
stated there was no connection to avian influenza.  He noted 
that a total of eight suspect cases were reported, all 
originating in the rural Salyan district of Azerbaijan.  Six 
of the cases were now in Baku in "good condition," he said. 
Two others, he said, had died over the weekend.  (NOTE: 
Post's medical staff visited two Baku hospitals on March 6 
and met directly with medical staff.  Including the two 
fatalities, there are currently between 8-11 suspicious 
respiratory illness cases.  At this time, it is not clear 
what these illnesses are.  Post's medical staff is following 
up with health authorities for a full readout on all cases. 
Post will report this information septel.  END NOTE.) 
 
NEW SAMPLES SET FOR TESTING ABROAD 
---------------------------------- 
 
BAKU 00000356  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
¶4. (SBU) Post learned from the Weybridge, UK reference 
laboratory March 6 that the State Veterinary Service 
contacted the lab February 28.  Azerbaijan's Chief 
Veterinarian asked for the lab's assistance in testing an 
additional 17 samples from wild birds and poultry taken from 
throughout Azerbaijan.  As of March 3, however, the Cabinet 
of Ministers indicated that no additional samples had left 
the country following the February 6 set, which was sent 
following strong Embassy intervention.  Post continues to 
urge the vet authorities to send samples to international 
reference labs immediately. 
 
POST'S AVIAN FLU GROUP MEETS 
---------------------------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) On March 6, Post's avian influenza working group met 
to discuss the situation in Azerbaijan and examine Post's 
tripwires (ref B).  The group determined that at the present 
time there had been no findig of human cases of avian 
influenza in Azerbaijan  As a result, the tripwire 
concerning human cases had not been reached.  However, the 
group acknowledged that the situation remained fluid and 
could change rapidly.  Post's consular section will be ready 
to send an approved warden message very quickly in the event 
of a positive human case finding.  In addition, emboffs have 
redoubled efforts aimed at sending samples (animal and human) 
out for international testing. 
HARNISH