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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 000406 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AMBASSADOR POWELL 
STATE FOR EUR/OES CONNORS 
ROME FOR AGRI WIGGINS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETRD GR ECON AVIANFLU
SUBJECT: H5N1 CONFIRMED IN GREEK BIRDS; UNCONFIRMED HUMAN 
TRANSMISSION CASES. 
 
REF: ATHENS 00386 
 
¶1. (U) This is a Joint Athens-Thessaloniki Cable 
 
 
¶2. (U) SUMMARY: On 11 February, the European Commission's 
laboratory in Weybridge U.K. confirmed the presence of H5N1 
Avian Influenza in Greece after the three samples sent from 
migratory swans on 9 February tested positive for the virus 
(reftel).  In addition, a fourth suspected H5N1 case has been 
reported on the island of Skyros, about 75 miles north east 
of Athens. Even more ominously, two Greek citizens have been 
hospitalized and isolated with flu like symptoms after coming 
into direct contact with sick and/or dead birds. The Greek 
Ministries of Agriculture, Interior and Rural Development are 
working with the EU, provincial and local authorities to 
confront the arrival of Avian Influenza in Greece. End 
Summary. 
 
Sitrep/Actions taken by the GoG 
------------------------------- 
 
¶3. (U) On 11 February, the European Commission's laboratory 
in Weybridge U.K., confirmed the presence of H5N1 Avian 
Influenza in Greece after the three samples sent from 
migratory swans on 9 February tested positive for the virus 
(reftel).  In addition, a fourth suspected H5N1 case has been 
reported on the island of Skyros, about 75 miles north east 
of Athens. Greece also has two potential human cases of Avian 
Influenza: a 29-year-old hunter who handled a dead goose last 
week near the village of Kalahori (west of Thessaloniki), and 
a 19-year-old man who cared for an ill swan at his home 
outside of Thessaloniki.  Both have been admitted to a 
hospital in Thessaloniki for flu-like symptoms and are in 
special isolation wings. H5N1 test results for the two men 
should be completed in 48 hours. 
 
¶4. (U) The Ministry of Agriculture's strategy to utilize 
hunters, farmers, fisherman and citizens to be on the lookout 
for dead or dying migratory birds appears to have been 
effective in the early detection of Avian Influenza in 
northern Greece.  In accordance with European Commission 
guidance, a 3 km protective radius, labeled as zone A, will 
be in place around the sites where the first three birds were 
found for 21 days; this area will be essentially isolated 
from free movement and will be closely monitored.  An 
additional 10 km protective radius, labeled as zone B, 
extends further around the sites for an additional nine days 
and will be closely monitored.  All domestic birds from 
within the zone will be banned from export outside the zone 
and the Ministry of Agriculture will continue to enforce its 
ban on open air poultry markets and farms. At this time, no 
mass culling of domestic birds has been ordered. 
 
¶5. (U) The overall focus of the GoG at this time is to 
aggressively pursue early detection and isolation of H5N1 
carrier birds and to prevent the virus from passing to 
domestic bird populations.  Strict measures have been 
enforced to prevent open and un-contained exposure of 
domestic fowl and the GoG can levy fines of up to 3,000 euros 
for a violation of the containment protocols. 
 
Public Outreach and Public Reaction 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶6. (U) The efforts of the GoG to inform the public on Avian 
Influenza have been received with mixed reaction among the 
public.  Greeks in the rural areas have reacted more vocally 
and with greater concern than those in major urban centers. 
One bright note has been that the media so far has been 
remarkably cooperative in helping the government to keep the 
public informed on sanitation and personal protection 
measures leading Minister of Health Nikitas Kaklamanis to 
thank the media for its (uncharacteristically) calm and 
responsible tone. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶7. (U) The upcoming spring season will bring a significant 
increase in migratory bird traffic in South-Eastern Europe as 
a whole.  The recent confirmation of H5N1 in Southern Italy 
is indicative of this reality.  Post expects the number of 
H5N1 cases in migratory birds to increase in the coming weeks 
and will continue to monitor the efforts of the GoG to 
isolate the domestic poultry industry from all possible 
contact with migratory birds. In the meantime, Post will 
continue to monitor additional developments and report as new 
information becomes available.  Post EAC is also reviewing 
the Embassy's avian flu preparedness status.  End Comment. 
RIES