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

UNCLAS PARIS 002491 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR G/AVIAN INFLUENZA ACTION GROUP, OES/IHA, EUR/WE, 
CA, CA/OCS 
HHS FOR INTERNATIONAL GAY 
USDA FOR ITP/MACKE/THOMAS, CMP/DLP/WETZEL 
USDA FOR FAS PASS FSIS AND APHIS 
CDC FOR DR. NANCY COX 
HOMELAND SECURITY FOR OIA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KFLU TBIO CASC AMGT FR
SUBJECT: AVIAN INFLUENZA FRANCE UPDATE  4/14/06 
 
REF: PARIS 1734 
 
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French National AI Exercise Rescheduled 
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¶1.  The twice-postponed French AI national exercise has 
been rescheduled for April 24- 25.  This exercise is 
designed to test the GOF Avian Influenza National Plan. 
Along with the French Health, Foreign Affairs, and Interior 
Ministries, the WHO, FAO, the World Organization for Animal 
Health, and the U.K., German, Australian, and U.S. 
Embassies have agreed to participate. 
 
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Paris to Host AI Conference 
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¶2.  On June 29-30, the Pasteur Institute will host the 
'First International Conference on Avian Influenza in 
Humans.'  The aim of the conference is to bring together 
world specialists to discuss the latest advances on avian 
influenza, particularly on new therapeutic targets for 
treatment and prevention in humans, and the strategies to 
avoid a human pandemic.  A special session will be reserved 
to discuss how to manage a catastrophic scenario in the 
event of a pandemic.  For more information or to register 
for the conference go to http://www.isahn.com. 
 
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Freedom for Poultry 
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¶3.  Domestic poultry confined in the French department of 
Ain will soon be set free, announced the government earlier 
this week.  Domestic poultry had been confined indoors 
since February, when H5N1 contaminated wild birds in the 
region somehow infected a turkey farm. Although the poultry 
will be allowed out of confinement, they will still be 
subject to strict oversight. 
 
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France the Best Prepared 
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¶4.  According to a recent study from the London School of 
Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, France is considered the 
country the best prepared in the event of an avian 
influenza pandemic.  The study was financed by Roche Labs, 
the maker of Tamiflu, and was publicized yesterday in the 
Wall Street Journal.  The study analyzed the preparation of 
21 European countries according to 169 criteria established 
by WHO. 
 
STAPLETON