VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHZP #1223/01 1731532
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 221532Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY PANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8405
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA 0078
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS PANAMA 001223 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR G - MELINE 
ALSO FOR AIAG - DALEY AND WHA/CEN - SCHIFFER 
HHS FOR OGHA - STEIGER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: TBIO KFLU SENV PM
SUBJECT: PANAMA COORDINATES RESPONSE TO AVIAN FLU THREAT 
 
 This message is sensitive but unclassified.  Please handle 
accordingly. 
 
¶1.  (U) SUMMARY: On May 31, 2006, a broad range of GOP 
ministries and NGOs met to coordinate efforts on Panama's 
Avian Influenza (AI) National Prevention and Response Plan. 
Participants included officials from the Ministry of Health 
(MINSA), Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA), the 
Panamanian-United States Commission for the Eradication and 
Prevention of Screwworm Disease (COPEG), USDA/APHIS, USAID, 
the Panamanian Audubon Society, the Gorgas Memorial Institute 
(GMI), the International Regional Organization for 
Agroindustry Health, the Inter-American Institute for 
Cooperation on Agriculture, the National Association of 
Panamanian Poultry Producers (ANAVIP), and the United Nations 
Food and Animal Organization (FAO).  The meeting was 
sponsored by APHIS and COPEG.  Participants discussed 
coordination plans for use of FAO grants for AI detection and 
response, H5N1 virus diagnostic detection capabilities, 
upcoming AI seminar and simulation exercises, and a 
coordinated public AI communication strategy.  Com 
ment:  Panama is increasingly focused on addressing the AI 
threat.  There is a genuine interest in developing an 
integrated coordinated AI strategy that could perhaps serve 
as a model for AI preparedness for others in the region.  End 
Summary. 
 
FAO Offers Regional Grants on AI 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (U) FAO's resident representative, Merilio Morell, 
discussed the FAO's $500,000 in matching grants for AI 
projects in Central America.  The grants are to assist 
Central American countries to collect and share information 
related to the high pathogenic version of AI.  The funds are 
also designed to strengthen each country's national AI 
preparedness and response plan which respect to detection of 
the H5N1 virus in migratory birds and commercialized wild 
birds.  Morrell said the proposed grants are subject to 
change based on comments from the participating countries. 
Morell said that MIDA is coordinating the GOP's current 
review of an FAO proposal for AI work in Panama. 
 
Panama's Diagnostic Lab Offers Unique Capability to Region 
--------------------------------------------- ------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Panama has the only laboratory in Central America 
capable of real-time detection of the H5N1 virus.  The 
facility is located at Diagnostic Laboratory for Vesicular 
Diseases (LADVIES).  The facility was funded in part by 
APHIS.  The technicians were trained at the APHIS facility in 
Ames, Iowa.  Meeting participants were concerned about the 
need to ensure adequate bio-security measures regarding 
samples entering Panama for testing.  APHIS officials 
stressed that the handling of samples in LADIVES conforms to 
protocols employed by US laboratories.  Comment: Meeting 
participants are aware that Panama might become the regional 
testing center for H5N1 infected material.  In the event of 
an AI outbreak in the region, news of Panama serving as a 
regional testing center could prompt public fears about the 
handling of infected tissue.  Such fears could cause the GOP 
to put a halt to such testing at a time when such testing is 
most needed.  End comment. 
 
Regional Seminar and Simulation Exercise Planned for July 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
 
¶4.  (U) COPEG announced that it will conduct an AI seminar 
and simulation exercise July 25-28, 2006 in Panama.  With 
financial supported from APHIS, this event will focus on 
diagnostic techniques in animals, followed by simulation 
exercises for animal health officials and a separate 
simulation for veterinary field workers. 
 
Focus on Effective Social Communications Strategies 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
¶5.  (SBU) Meeting participants discussed the importance of 
effective social communications in the event of an AI 
outbreak.  In suggesting that information on AI would be more 
credible and consistent if it came from the government rather 
than private sources, ANAVIP argued that MINSA and MIDA 
should serve as Panama's sole information providers on AI 
issues.  ANAVIP plans to organize public informational events 
with members of MINSA and MIDA and may also reach out to 
doctors on AI issues. 
 
Draft MOU Faces Uncertain Response 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶6.  (SBU) To strengthen inter-ministry and NGO cooperation on 
AI issues, COPEG drafted a memorandum of understanding (MOU) 
outlining each ministry's and NGO's responsibilities and 
obligations to support the Panama's National AI Prevention 
and Response Plan.  However, although most participants 
agreed in principle on the need for some written mechanism, 
several were reluctant to commit their agencies to anything 
that might be construed as a legally binding agreement.  To 
date, it does not appear that any ministry or NGO has signed 
the proposed MOU. 
 
Comment: AI Offers Vehicle for Enhanced Coordination 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
¶7.  (SBU) Panamanian government agencies, NGOs, and some 
private sector players are increasingly focused on AI 
preparedness.  (As reported septel, HHS Secretary Leavitt's 
June 7-10 visit helped significantly in boosting the AI issue 
on the radar of senior GOP officials and the general public.) 
 We are encouraged to see this effort to break through 
institutional barriers, as well as the growing recognition 
that handling an AI outbreak requires adequate social 
communications, as well as preventing or treating the actual 
disease.  Post will continue to encourage this trend on both 
the human and animal health fronts (e.g., through COPEG).  As 
Panama advances toward a more fully integrated preparedness 
and response plan, its efforts could serve as a model for the 
region.  End Comment. 
EATON