VZCZCXYZ0040
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKG #0884/01 1281308
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 081308Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2758
RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO 5673

UNCLAS KINGSTON 000884 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CAR (BENT), STATE ALSO FOR OES/STC (LUCERO) 
 
SANTO DOMINGO PLEASE PASS FOR FAS (ROTHSCHILD) 
 
E.O. 12958: NA 
TAGS: KSCA TSPL AMGT OTRA APER SENV JM
SUBJECT: CORRECTED COPY: NOMINATION FOR EMBASSY SCIENCE 
FELLOWS PROGRAM 
 
REF: A.) KINGSTON 725 
     B.) STATE 35305 
 
¶1. This is a joint State-FAS-USAID message.  This cable 
corrects and updates ref. A, please see paragraph 6. 
 
¶2. The growing global threat of highly pathogenic avian 
influenza (HPAI) to human and domestic animal health, 
agricultural industries, and entire economies, has generated 
interest among Government of Jamaica (GOJ) officials and 
private sector stakeholders to improve the capacity to 
respond to the spread of the disease to the western 
hemisphere in general, and Jamaica in particular.  Despite 
conceptualizing a National Avian Influenza Surveillance and 
Response Program, the GOJ lacks the technical capacity to 
develop and implement key aspects of the program.  The 
Embassy has assessed the GOJ's program and has, on the 
merits of its relevance to Jamaica's rural stability and 
public and animal health in the western hemisphere, decided 
to submit a proposal to host a Fellow under the Embassy 
Science Fellows Program (ESFP - see ref. B), and to provide 
the required technical support.  It is envisioned that the 
fellow would likely come through USDA or NIH. 
 
¶3. Jamaica's location in the North-South America migration 
route exposes its wild bird population to the presence of 
HPAI in migrating birds.  Further, the small size of the 
country and the extensive co-mingling of wild birds with 
"backyard" poultry magnify the probability of AI 
transmission to commercial poultry.  Any such occurrence 
would have adverse social and economic effects in Jamaica 
due to the disproportionate dependence of rural communities 
on the poultry industry. Additionally, constant bird-human 
contact by "backyard" poultry farmers, and the resulting 
elevated risk of cross-species transmission of the pathogen 
is especially worrying to public health officials. 
 
¶4. In light of Jamaica's vulnerability, and its 
responsibilities to the hemispheric efforts against AI, the 
GOJ has embarked on developing a comprehensive multi-agency 
avian influenza surveillance and response program, 
encompassing field epidemiology, specimen collection, 
laboratory diagnostics, public education and training, and 
the development of protocols to control and eradicate AI. 
The GOJ has acknowledged its incapacity to effectively 
develop and implement the program, and has requested the 
USG's assistance in providing hands-on scientific exchange. 
 
¶5. After assessing the GOJ's program and technical requests, 
post has decided to commit resources to host a U.S. 
technical expert under the EFSP, and to provide all 
requisite support.  The time horizon and nature of the 
Fellowship are well suited to the capacity-building efforts 
of the GOJ.  As stated in ref. B, post confirms that it can 
provide, housing, office space, email/internet access, local 
work-related travel expense, and other supplementary work- 
related costs for the participating Fellow.  Housing would 
not be impossible during the summer months, but TDY units 
are more readily available outside of the summer transfer 
season.  Likewise, the GOJ is anxious to begin this 
cooperation as soon as possible.  Additionally, the Fellow 
will be provided with the following Embassy services:  CLO 
orientation, security, mail, check cashing, and access to 
post health unit in accordance with the rules governing TDY 
employment. 
 
¶6. The participating Fellow should possess expertise in 
veterinary epidemiology and in the development and operation 
of an emergency response program.  The participating Fellow 
will be required to train Jamaican veterinarians and assist 
in designing and implementing the national AI emergency 
response program. This will include developing laboratory 
diagnostic capabilities, a public relations and education 
campaign, and the development of control and eradication 
protocols. Additionally, the Fellow should be prepared to 
participate in field training of public and private 
veterinarians, farmers, and other stakeholders. Post 
anticipates that a National AI simulation exercise would be 
conducted during the Fellow's tenure in Jamaica, if such a 
proposal is approved. 
 
¶7. Since the Fellow will be assigned to post for 
approximately 60 days (two months), medical clearance will 
be necessary.  While full security clearance will not be 
necessary, the proposed Fellow will be required to complete 
SF-85, Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions. 
 
¶8. Embassy point of contact: 
 
 
John Morgan 
Economic Officer 
e-mail: morganjs@state.gov 
Phone: (876)935-6028 
Fax: (876)935-6029 
 
 
JOHNSON