VZCZCXRO1606
PP RUEHGR
DE RUEHWN #0087/01 0131727
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 131727Z JAN 06
FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1649
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BRIDGETOWN 000087 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
PASS TO USAID/GH/RCS/KELLY WOLFE AND USAID/LAC/PEG MARSHALL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAGR EAID ECON PREL SENV TBIO SC XL
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR ST. KITTS AND NEVIS AI 
INFORMATION 
 
REF: STATE 209622 
 
¶1.  The following is in response to questions posed by reftel. 
 
-------------------------- 
Preparedness/Communication 
-------------------------- 
 
¶2. Does the government have a preparedness plan/strategy for 
preventing avian flu from becoming a pandemic and containing 
a pandemic once it occurs? 
 
The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis (GOSKN) has finalized a 
plan for dealing with Avian Influenza (AI), called the St. 
Kitts and Nevis Avian Influenza National Strategic Plan. 
 
¶3. If the country has a strategy, how capable is it of 
implementing it? 
 
Although the GOSKN has only a modest customs, immigration, 
and public health capacity, its Avian Influenza National 
Strategic Plan is embedded in a regional approach, 
spearheaded by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) 
and Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC).  This regional 
approach increases the country's capacity for implementation. 
 
¶4. Please provide a copy of the plan or the Internet address 
for the plan. 
 
Post will immediately forward an electronic copy of the St. 
Kitts and Nevis Avian Influenza National Strategic Plan to 
the OES Senior Health Advisor. 
 
¶5. How truthful will the government be in reporting the scope 
of any disease outbreak among people? Among animals? What 
incentives could be offered that would likely result in more 
transparency? 
 
The GOSKN has begun its preparations against a possible AI 
pandemic in a transparent manner, stressing open, regional 
cooperation.  The Government is likely to continue such 
preparations, as well as react to the spread of a pandemic, 
transparently and in coordination with regional partners. 
 
The Chief Medical Officer and Chief Veterinary Officer plan 
to continue raising awareness and stressing open 
communication at the national executive, public, and agency 
levels.  The Cabinet was briefed in October and further 
briefings will occur as new information appears. 
 
¶6. Where does preparing for an avian flu human pandemic rank 
among government priorities?  Who and what would most 
influence the country to give the issue a higher priority? 
Who is the key "go-to" person, office or department (e.g., 
Minister for Health, Prime Minister, etc.)? For USG officials 
to engage on this issue? 
 
Combating the threat of avian flu pandemic is a high priority 
for the GOSKN.  The contact persons for the GOSKN are Mr. 
Elvis Newton, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, and 
Dr. Patrick Martin, Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of 
Health.  Both can be reached by phone at: 869-465-2551 
(Government HQ ask for Ministry of Health) or by fax at: 
869-466-8574 or 869-465-1316.  Dr. Martin can also be reached 
at the following e-mail address: skncmo@yahoo.com. 
 
¶7. Have national laws been reviewed to ensure that they are 
consistent with international health regulations (IHRS) and 
do not pose barriers to avian influenza detection, reporting, 
containment, or response? 
 
The GOSKN has reviewed its public health laws and has 
determined that they are consistent with international health 
regulations (IHRS) and do not pose barriers to avian 
influenza detection, reporting, containment, or response. 
 
¶8. Is the host country already working with international 
organizations or other countries on the avian flu issue? Are 
government leaders likely to ask for assistance from the U.S. 
or other countries?  Would government leaders be receptive to 
messages from U.S. leaders through a bilateral approach, at a 
multilateral forum such as the UN (WHO, FAO, etc.)?  Or APEC, 
or through bilateral contacts by a third country?  What would 
the country want from the U.S. in return for its efforts? 
 
As noted in paragraph three, the GOSKN is already working 
with international organizations, NGOs, and other countries. 
The GOSKN would be pleased to continue working on a regional 
and international level with other governments. 
 
 
BRIDGETOWN 00000087  002 OF 003 
 
 
¶9. Does the country currently administer annual flu shots? If 
not, might it consider doing so?   What is the production 
capability (i.e., how many doses of the annual trivalent flu 
vaccine can the country make) for human influenza vaccines in 
the country?  Does the country produce influenza vaccine for 
poultry and if so how much?  If the country is developing an 
H5N1 vaccine, where is it in production and testing?  Any 
licensing issues?  Is there a liability shield for foreign 
makers/donors of vaccines?  If not, any prospects of one 
being enacted? 
 
GOSKN does not administer annual flu shots.  The likelihood 
of the Government administering annual flu shots is 
contingent upon regional decision-making through PAHO's 
Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI).  The GOSKN has no 
production capacity for vaccines and none is likely for the 
foreseeable future. 
 
¶10. How well informed is the population about the avian flu 
threat and about measures they should take to mitigate the 
threat?  What mechanisms are available for providing 
additional information to the population, particularly in 
rural areas and how effective are these measures? 
 
The public is continually informed about the threat of avian 
influenza via electronic and print media.  Also, the Health 
Promotion/Education Unit and Communications Unit of the 
Agriculture Department will continue their media education 
activities, while preparing an information campaign utilizing 
banners, flyers, television, and Internet. 
 
------------------------ 
Surveillance/Detection 
---------------------- 
 
¶11. How capable are the medical and agriculture sectors of 
detecting a new strain of influenza among people or animals 
respectively?  How long might it take for cases to be 
properly diagnosed, given other endemic diseases?  Can 
influenza viruses be subtyped in the country, if so by whom, 
and if not where are they sent?  Does the country send 
samples to a WHO/EU/U.S. reference laboratory? 
 
There is no local lab capacity for strain identification; 
provisions have been made for specimen transfer to CAREC in 
Trinidad.  Post has been unable thus far to ascertain how 
long it would typically take to diagnose an animal or human 
avian flu case in St. Kitts, but will report that information 
septel. 
 
¶12. What are the critical gaps that need to be filled to 
enhance the country's disease detection and outbreak response 
capabilities?  What is the country's greatest need in this 
area from the U.S. or international organizations? 
 
The most critical gap is public health care staffing.  Some 
important positions in the country's public health system are 
occupied by a sole person.  Should such a worker take sick or 
leave, respective public health activities would suffer until 
the worker is replaced.  PAHO and CAREC are aware of this 
issue, however, and are planning to establish a regional 
rapid-response personnel team to complement vulnerable 
national health systems. 
 
-------------------- 
Response/Containment 
-------------------- 
 
¶13. Does the country have a stockpile of medications, 
particularly of antivirals, and if so how much?  If some has 
been ordered, how much and when is it expected? 
 
GOSKN does not have a stockpile of medications or vaccines. 
Medication and vaccine availability during a pandemic is the 
critical issue given that St. Kitts and Nevis is not a 
producing country. 
 
¶14. Does the country have a stockpile of pre-positioned 
personal protective gear? 
 
St. Kitts and Nevis has an inadequate amount of personal 
protective gear, but inventory augmentation is ongoing. 
 
¶15. What is the rapid response capacity for animal and human 
outbreaks?  Are guidelines in place for the culling and 
vaccination of birds, disinfection of facilities, and 
limitations on animal movement? 
 
The Animal Health Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture is 
responsible for surveillance and response activities. 
 
BRIDGETOWN 00000087  003 OF 003 
 
 
Guidelines exist and updates are facilitated by PAHO.  Human 
outbreaks will be managed using social-distancing measures in 
the community and quarantine within hospitals or other 
designated facilities. 
 
¶16. How willing and capable is the government of imposing 
quarantines and social distancing measures (closing schools, 
public gatherings, mass transit)?  Would its military enforce 
quarantines? 
 
The GOSKN plans to implement all required public health 
measures, including quarantines, as a matter of law and with 
full enforcement, using all available means. 
GILROY