This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 HANOI 003384 
 
SIPDIS 
 
BANGKOK FOR USAID/RDM-A 
 
STATE FOR G; CA/OCS/ACS/EAP; EAP/EX; EAP/MLS; EAP/EP; INR; 
OES/STC (PBATES); OES/IHA (DSINGER AND NCOMELLA) 
BANGKOK FOR RMO, CDC, USAID/RDM/A (MFRIEDMAN AND JMACARTHUR) 
USDA FOR FAS/PASS TO APHIS 
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FOR OSD/ISA/AP (LSTERN) 
USAID FOR ANE AND GH (DCARROLL, SCLEMENTS AND PCHAPLIN) 
STATE PASS USTR (ELENA BRYAN) 
STATE ALSO PASS HHS/OGHA (EELVANDER) 
ROME FOR FAO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMED AMGT CASC EAGR PINR SOCI PGOV TBIO VM AFLU
SUBJECT: VIETNAM: AVIAN INFLUENZA WEEKLY REPORT FOR DECEMBER 
29, 2005 
 
REF: Hanoi 3353 
 
¶1. (U) Summary.  There have been no new human Avian 
Influenza (AI) deaths in Vietnam since October 29.  The 
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) issued 
a circular guiding the quarantine, transport and sale of 
poultry and poultry products.  Post's Marine Attache 
observed four disinfection checkpoints in provinces in 
northern Vietnam.  The number of animal AI affected 
provinces in Vietnam continues to drop from a high of 21 in 
mid-November to seven this week, however, MARD has confirmed 
that there are suspected outbreaks in Quang Tri and Ha Giang 
provinces.  Prime Minister Phan Van Khai declared that 
despite some success in controlling the spread of AI, 
outbreaks remain a high risk and called for continued 
vigilance.  The Ministry of Health (MOH) gave instructions 
for strict monitoring of foreigners entering Vietnam from 
countries affected by AI.  Newpapers reported on a small 
study published in the New England Journal of Medicine 
suggesting Tamiflu resistance in two patients.  End Summary. 
 
AI SNAPSHOT 
----------- 
 
¶2. (U) As of December 27, 2006: 
 
--Number of New Human AI Cases in Vietnam since October 29: 
zero 
--Current Number of Provinces still affected by AI in 
poultry: seven 
--Estimated number of poultry culled since October 1: 3.8 
million 
 
NEW ISSUES 
---------- 
 
¶3. (U) There have been no new cases of human Avian 
Influenza.  The GVN confirmed that a suspected human AI case 
in Soc Trang province in southern Vietnam tested negative 
for H5N1.  In reference to this case, the Pasteur Institute 
commented that recently it has been receiving specimens from 
between one to three suspected AI cases a day, mostly from 
the Mekong Delta region.  All have tested negative for H5N1. 
 
¶4. (U) MARD officials have confirmed that there is a 
suspected recurrence of AI in Quang Tri Province in central 
Vietnam, where 231 waterfowl have died.  In response, 1,180 
poultry have been culled, and tests are underway to 
determine whether the birds were infected with AI.  In Ha 
Giang Province in northern Vietnam, 19 geese are suspected 
to have died of AI.  Fifty-six geese have been culled, and 
tests are underway to determine whether the birds were 
infected with AI. 
 
¶5. (U) With demand for poultry rising in anticipation of 
Tet, Vietnam's Lunar New Year holiday, the Ministry of 
Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) issued a circular 
on December 23 guiding the quarantine, transport and sale of 
poultry and poultry products.  The sale of poultry and 
poultry products originating from provinces with no AI 
outbreaks in 2005 is unrestricted.  Poultry and poultry 
products originating in provinces that experienced an AI 
outbreak in 2005 but have been outbreak free for over 21 
days may be sold after a quarantine period.  Poultry and 
poultry products originating in provinces that experienced 
an outbreak within the last 21 days may be sold only if they 
come from outbreak-free commercial farms where the poultry 
received two vaccine injections, or from outbreak-free farms 
where the poultry were not vaccinated, but that have tested 
negative for the H5N1 virus.  Eggs from these poultry farms 
can be sold after a quarantine period.  While this 
government action may be a positive development for poultry 
farm owners, it remains to be seen whether it will translate 
into consumer confidence. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Post's Marine Attache (MARA) observed four 
disinfection checkpoints while traveling in Bac Giang, Bac 
Kan, Cao Bang and Lang Son provinces in northern Vietnam 
December 20-22.  Checkpoint personnel including border 
guards, army soldiers, Ministry of Public Security police, 
forestry officials and civilians, stopped vehicles (though 
not motorbikes) and sprayed their tires.  The MARA was told 
that the spray was liquid disinfectant used in an effort to 
prevent transmission of the virus between regions. 
Discipline appeared to be lax and coverage inconsistent at 
two checkpoints, as no effort was made to stop the MARA's 
vehicle at one checkpoint, and no staff was visible at 
another.  However, at two other checkpoints staff appeared 
to take the matter seriously and their actions were prompt 
and efficient. 
 
¶7. (U) Denmark donated USD 600,000 worth of veterinary 
equipment to MARD, including automatic sprayers, protective 
clothing, rubber boots and gloves, as well as 20,000 liters 
of disinfectant in order to aid Vietnam in the fight against 
AI.  Denmark donated an additional USD 400,000 to assist 
with an AI public information campaign.  Germany donated USD 
5.3 million to aid Vietnam in its effort to combat AI. 
 
¶8. (U) At a December 24 session of the Working Group on AI 
in Ho Chi Minh City, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai cautioned 
that although preventive measures have had some success, the 
risk of AI outbreaks remains high.  He stressed that the 
poultry vaccination program must continue, and a long-term 
plan for the livestock industry, with a focus on commercial 
farms and slaughterhouses needs to be developed.  He also 
advised that the Ministry of Trade has been instructed to 
distribute certified poultry and poultry products in the 
upcoming Tet period, when demand increases.  The Ministry of 
Health has instructed strict monitoring of foreigners 
entering Vietnam from countries known to have been affected 
by AI, and has identified cooperation between the Vietnamese 
local border authorities and their counterparts as a 
critical measure. 
 
¶9. (U) A number of newspapers reported on a study published 
in the New England Journal of Medicine on the resistance of 
Vietnamese patients to Tamiflu.  The study, conducted on 
eight patients, showed that two who died had developed signs 
of resistance to Tamiflu, and suggests that the use of 
higher doses and longer treatment may be necessary for some 
patients.  The small study sample should be taken into 
consideration when assessing the effectiveness of Tamiflu, 
however, medical experts, including one of the study's co- 
authors, continue to consider Tamiflu to be an important 
defense against the H5N1 virus. 
 
MARINE