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 ABUJA 000656 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
USDA FOR FAS/OA, FAS/DLP, FAS/ICD AND FAS/ITP 
USDA ALSO FOR APHIS 
USAID REGIONAL HUB OFFICE ACCRA 
CHERYL FRENCH APHIS DAKAR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: TBIO KFLU EAID AMED EAGR NI AVIANFLU
SUBJECT: MARCH 23 NIGERIA AVIAN FLU UPDATE -- WHO CONCERNS 
 
REF:  ABUJA 596 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary.  The WHO's representative in Nigeria 
sought constructive criticism to improve UN agencies' 
efforts in combating AI, especially in boosting assistance 
to improve operational field capacity.  He warned that 
Nigeria's anti-AI efforts "most probably" were not 
diagnosing human cases.  A World Bank official said the GON 
had problems absorbing assistance and could not distribute 
resources quickly.  A GON document released March 20 termed 
Nigeria's efforts against AI "prompt and effective."  End 
summary. 
 
WHO Nigeria seeks constructive criticism 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) Economic Officer attended the March 16 avian 
influenza (AI) donors meeting at the UN Development Program 
in Abuja.  The World Health Organization's (WHO) 
representative in Nigeria sought constructive criticism to 
improve UN agencies' efforts in combating AI.  The WHO 
official asked for advice especially on streamlining 
assistance to the Government of Nigeria (GON) and boosting 
assistance to improve operational field capacity.  He warned 
anti-AI efforts "are in a routine and may lose momentum" and 
that Nigeria's efforts "most probably" were not diagnosing 
human cases of the virus. 
 
¶3. (SBU) The WHO official urged there be at least one 
veterinarian per state "responsible" to the UN Food and 
Agriculture Organization.  He urged the best use of 
resources to avoid an AI pandemic originating in Nigeria. 
The upcoming national census and national elections, as well 
as possible resulting unrest and competing GON priorities, 
could harm efforts against AI.  Foreign donors might want to 
seek from the GON a pledge of no disruption, for up to 12 
months, of field operations despite political unrest. 
 
World Bank official on GON's lack of capacity 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) A USAID official said the GON's response so far was 
too centralized and there must be a greater state-level 
presence in responding to AI, including building on the 
existing UN infrastructure -- especially veterinarians.  A 
World Bank official said the GON had problems absorbing 
assistance and could not distribute resources quickly, 
including Nigeria's existing USD 12.2 million World Bank 
line of credit.  The GON was failing to spend money already 
available, and UN agencies must help the GON come up with 
ways to spend the money effectively.  If the GON's lack of 
capacity persists, the GON could subcontract projects to UN 
agencies -- a relatively simple process.  USAID could 
approach the GON or could, with a written request to the 
World Bank, ask the bank to approach the GON on its behalf. 
The World Bank had a "very strong" relationship with the GON 
and could go to President Obasanjo if necessary to remove a 
blockage in the aid pipeline. 
 
¶5. (SBU) The WHO representative said staffers at the 
Laboratory of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, 
needed to be trained in diagnosing H5N1 but were not 
fulfilling their existing agreement with the WHO concerning 
diagnosing regular influenza.  A GON official, however, said 
March 15 that the Ibadan laboratory now could diagnose the 
H5 virus. 
 
Comment 
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¶6. (SBU) The WHO chief likely sought advice because of the 
recent visit to Abuja by UN AI Coordinator David Nabarro and 
Nabarro's subsequent conversations with USG officials and 
foreign donors. 
 
¶7. (SBU) The GON's "Human-Health-Component Request," 
released March 20, stated, "The response of the government 
of Nigeria to the outbreak has been prompt and effective in 
containing the disease, limiting it to birds."  Nigeria's 
sanguine interpretation, at this late date, of its anti-AI 
efforts is not encouraging. 
CAMPBELL