VZCZCXRO3009
OO RUEHAST
DE RUEHBM #0847/01 1421604
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 221604Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4479
INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEHRC/USDA WASHDC
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BUCHAREST 000847 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EUR/NCE - WSILKWORTH AND CA/OCS/ACS-SSCHMIERER 
NSC FOR DAMON WILSON 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KFLU TBIO PREL EAID CASC WHO RO
SUBJECT: AVIAN INFLUENZA SPREADS TO BUCHAREST, OTHER MAJOR 
CITIES 
 
REF: A) BUCHAREST 843; B) BUCHAREST 834; C) BUCHAREST 811; 
D) BUCHAREST 523; E) BUCHAREST 310; F) BUCHAREST 79; G) 05 
BUCHAREST 2302; H) 05 BUCHAREST 2239; I) 05 BUCHAREST 2205, 
J) 05 BUCHAREST 2185; K) 05 BUCHAREST 2177, L) 05 BUCHAREST 
2152 
 
BUCHAREST 00000847  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
SUMMARY 
------- 
¶1.   (SBU) The latest outbreak of avian influenza (AI) in 
Romania continues to spread over nearly one third of the 
country.  A total of 34 sites in nine counties have been 
confirmed as H5N1 positive, with another 24 sites under 
suspicion pending confirmation.  In Bucharest, dead domestic 
poultry in one neighborhood within the city limits has been 
confirmed H5N1 positive, with another neighborhood 
suspected.  The outbreak has prompted the first quarantine 
measures within the city limits themselves.  Other large 
cities in Romania have also reported their first confirmed 
cases of avian influenza.  Veterinary officials continue to 
enforce quarantine procedures and implement culling, 
disinfection, surveillance and testing in affected areas. 
President Basescu, until now less visible on this issue than 
other top Romanian officials, met with Prime Minister 
Tariceanu and Minister of Agriculture Flutur to discuss the 
crisis. 
 
OUTBREAKS ON THE INCREASE 
------------------------- 
¶2.   (U)  Since the detection of the initial outbreak last 
week in three commercial farms located near the city of 
Brasov, the disease has continued to spread rapidly.  The 
increase in outbreaks has been attributed to the sale and 
transport of live birds originating from these commercial 
farms. 
 
¶3.   (U)  As of May 22, a total of 34 outbreaks have been 
confirmed in nine counties and the city of Bucharest.  The 
outbreaks are primarily centered in Brasov County, which is 
home to the two commercial production facilities believed to 
be the source of the outbreaks. 
 
¶4.  (U)  The breakdown on locations of confirmed H5N1 cases 
is as follows:  19 in Brasov County (Hurez, Beclean, 
Fagaras, Feldioara de Ucea, Soars, Dumbravita, Vistea de 
Jos, Codlea, Bod, Lovnic, Holbav, Venetia de Jos, Racos, 
Stupini, Maierus, Cristian, Recea as well as the two 
commercial poultry farms of SC Drakom Silva and SC Pati 
Prod); one in Covasna County (Sita Buzaului); four in 
Vrancea County (Gagesti de Bolotesti, Anghelesti, Jorasti, 
Panciu); three in Bacau County (Beleghet de Agas, Palanca, 
Margiresti); one in Buzau County (Valea Lupului); two in 
Sibiu County (city of Sibiu - pop. 155,000, Arpasu de Jos); 
two in Valcea County (Stoilesti, Horezu); one in Neamt 
County (Trifesti); one in Bucharest (Sector 2). 
 
¶5.   (U)  In addition to the 34 confirmed outbreaks reported 
above, another 24 localities are under suspicion for AI, but 
are still pending confirmation.  The location of these 
suspected cases is also concentrated around Brasov County 
and is as follows: eight in Brasov County (Barcut, Parau, 
Comana de Jos, Sambata de Sus, Ucea de Jos, Vulcan, 
Sanpetru, Rotbav); two in Buzau County (Patarlagele, Florica 
de Mihailesti); three in Vrancea County (Unirea, Pietroasa 
de Bolotesti, Focsani); two in Valcea County (Galicea, 
Ocnele Mari); six in Prahova County (two locations in the 
city of Ploiesti, Urleta, Boldesti-Scaieni, and Tinosu, 
Poiana Campina); one in Alba County (Santimbru); one in 
Mures County (Sighisoara); and one in Bucharest (Sector 4). 
 
AI HITS THE CAPITAL 
------------------- 
¶6.   (U)  On May 22, officials confirmed the presence of 
H5N1 in Bucharest, Romania's capital and largest city.  Of 
the two cases under suspicion, only one has been confirmed, 
in Sector 2 in the northeastern outskirts of the city.  This 
area surrounding Falticeni Street is a low-income 
neighborhood marked by old houses with no plumbing where 
backyard poultry is common.  A second case identified in 
Sector 4 in the southern outskirts of the city has tested 
positive in rapid tests, but has yet to be confirmed.  The 
neighborhood surrounding Odei Street is also a low-income 
one with backyard fowl, though it is surrounded by densely 
populated blocks of apartments. 
 
¶7.   (U) In Sector 2, authorities estimate that some 400 
households are raising an estimated 4,000 domestic birds. 
 
BUCHAREST 00000847  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
Veterinary officials and local authorities have implemented 
quarantine around 21 streets in the immediate proximity of 
the urban outbreaks.  A public school in the vicinity of the 
outbreak has been temporarily closed.  Media reports suggest 
that approximately 1,500 Bucharest residents are directly 
affected by the quarantine restrictions.  Authorities are 
disinfecting the streets and public walkways, prohibiting 
transit through the immediate areas, visiting residents in 
order to inspect their households and livestock, 
distributing Tamiflu, providing sanitary and health 
information, and testing for additional cases.  Bucharest's 
chief veterinarian has reported that authorities are 
considering ordering a ban on poultry raised within the city 
limits, which if implemented, could lead to the destruction 
of an additional 40,000 birds. 
 
ROMANIA TAKING ACTION, LOOKING FOR ANSWERS 
------------------------------------------ 
¶8.   (U)  With the arrival of avian influenza, either 
confirmed or suspected, in the cities of Bucharest, Brasov, 
Ploiesti, and Sibiu, the disruptions that accompany traffic 
restrictions and quarantine measures are much more apparent 
than they were when the AI epidemic was limited to a 
relatively small number of isolated rural locations.  Still, 
Minister of Agriculture Gheorghe Flutur emphasized over the 
weekend in a round of media appearances that the situation 
is beginning to stabilize.  Flutur reported that veterinary 
officials have finished culling over 100,000 birds at the 
Drakom Silva poultry farm, considered the epicenter of the 
latest outbreaks.  They are currently culling another 
600,000 birds belonging to Pati Prod, the nearby poultry 
farm in Codlea.  Police in Brasov County continued their 
investigation, with the manager of Pati Prod the latest to 
be arrested over the weekend. 
 
¶9.   (U) Romanian politics have also been infected in recent 
days by the bird virus.  President Basescu met with 
Tariceanu and Flutur over the weekend to discuss GOR efforts 
to contain the outbreak and investigate the cause. 
Tariceanu has called for a country-wide probe of poultry 
producers to ensure that all are following bio-safety 
regulations.  According to press reports, Basescu is 
considering assigning the Romanian intelligence services  to 
help identify those responsible for the outbreak.  The press 
has also quoted Minister Flutur as speculating that the 
outbreak was caused by illegal imports of live birds. 
Meanwhile, opposition head Mircea Geona (PSD - Social 
Democrats) has called for Minister Flutur's dismissal. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
¶10.  (SBU) Rumors and accusations are filling the pages of 
the Romanian press as the GOR attempts to get a handle on 
the crisis.  Opposition leaders are trying to capitalize, 
pointing to the latest events as an example of the 
coalition's ineptitude.  With evidence mounting that 
malfeasance lies behind the rash of avian influence, the 
governing coalition is under considerable pressure to get to 
the bottom of this outbreak quickly and ensure it does not 
repeat.  European Commission officials have expressed past 
concern over Romania's ability to ensure animal health. 
This latest crisis will only exacerbate these concerns.  End 
comment. 
 
 
TAUBMAN