VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHZP #1231/01 1731949
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 221949Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY PANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8414
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA 0080
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS PANAMA 001231 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR G - MELINE AND FOR AIAG - DALEY 
ALSO FOR WHA/CEN - SCHIFFER AND WHA/EPSC - GUMBINER 
HHS FOR OGHA - STEIGER AND FOR OPHEP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: TBIO KFLU SENV PM
SUBJECT: HHS VISIT BOOSTS REGIONAL FOCUS ON AVIAN FLU 
 
 
This message is sensitive but unclassified.  Please handle 
accordingly. 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary: Secretary of Health & Human Services (HHS) 
Michael Leavitt's June 7-10 visit to Panama boosted the 
efforts of Central American health ministers to prepare for a 
possible outbreak of Avian Influenza (AI) or another type of 
pandemic.  Through a series of official meetings and public 
diplomacy events, the visit elevated the attention given to 
AI by the GOP.  Smithsonian scientists briefed the HHS 
delegation on avian disease and migration research findings 
related to AI.  The visit further reinforced longstanding 
U.S.-Panama cooperation on public health, helping to counter 
the "medical diplomacy" campaigns waged by Cuba and 
Venezuela.  End summary. 
 
HHS Engages Central American Ministers on AI Preparedness 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
 
¶2.  (U) On June 8, Secretary Leavitt participated in the 24th 
meeting of the Central American Health Ministers Commission 
(COMISCA).  The meeting focused on regional coordination and 
preparation for a possible outbreak of Avian Influenza (AI) 
or another type of pandemic.  In welcoming Secretary Leavitt, 
First Vice President & Foreign Minister Samuel Lewis Navarro 
lauded HHS' strong support for sustainable development in 
Latin America, noting how a possible pandemic could have 
devastating social and economic consequences. 
 
¶3.  (U) In addressing the COMISCA group and about 200 
additional participants, Secretary Leavitt said that 
advancing public health is a common pursuit that unites all 
countries.  After recounting the 1918 Spanish flu's 
catastrophic impacts on Central America and other parts of 
Latin America, he stressed that we are "overdue and 
underprepared."  Noting that Panama represents an important 
hemispheric crossroads for both people and migratory birds, 
Secretary Leavitt highlighted the recent cooperation 
 
SIPDIS 
agreement between HHS and Panama's Gorgas Memorial Institute 
(GMI) as a key part of a global surveillance network.  He 
also touted the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute's 
(STRI's) long history of scientific work in Panama and strong 
USG cooperation with Panama and others through USDA and USAID 
on avian flu and animal health issues.  After describing U.S. 
preparedness efforts, the Secretary emphasized broader USG 
cooperation internationally, including the International 
Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenz 
a. 
 
¶4. (U) In subsequent discussions, Central American health 
ministers underscored the regional importance of HHS' work 
with GMI, the need for complementary national preparedness 
efforts.  Some suggested that ministerial discussions on AI 
preparedness be elevated to presidential levels.  In 
response, Secretary Leavitt said that HHS support for GMI 
signals the USG's clear desire to build capacity regionally 
and globally.  He added that G-8 presidents would address AI 
issues at their St. Petersburg summit in July.  Secretary 
Leavitt also pointed to the need for proactive media outreach 
as part of good social communications strategies and for 
advance work on preparedness at local levels. 
 
Sec. Leavitt Touches Panamanian Hearts & Minds 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶5. (U) Secretary Leavitt's message on the importance of 
preparedness received extensive print and broadcast media 
coverage over several days, culminating with his one-on-one 
interview that appeared in the June 17 health section of "La 
Prensa," one of Panama's leading broadsheet dailies.  In 
addition, on June 8 he addressed a standing-room-only crowd 
of approximately 300 medical and nursing students at Panama's 
Santo Tomas Hospital.  A number of the attendees later 
remarked on how much they appreciated the Secretary's 
personal approach, his positive message on the value of 
public service, and his focus on prevention as an integral 
part of health care. 
 
STRI Briefs on Avian Disease & Migration Patterns 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶6.  (U) On June 9, the HHS delegation visited Barro Colorado 
Island, a 1500-hectare island located in the middle of the 
Panama Canal that STRI has administered as a major research 
facility for about 60 years.  STRI scientists briefed 
Secretary Leavitt on their research activities related both 
 
SIPDIS 
to avian disease and avian migration.  Noting that Panama 
serves as a "funnel" for the north-south and south-north 
migration of millions of birds, STRI has monitored more than 
300 resident and migratory species for AI since 2002.  STRI 
scientists noted that low level and low pathogenic forms of 
influenza have "always" been with bird populations.  However, 
the scientists have yet to observe any positive signs of the 
H5N1 virus in Panama. Although they believe that the H5N1 
virus' first appearance in the western hemisphere would 
likely be in Alaska, they suggested that it could also enter 
the hemisphere via other flyways.  For example, the golden 
plover migrates in a figure-8 pattern between Europe, Africa, 
South America, 
and North America.  Moreover, STRI scientists suggested that 
land transport (e.g., poultry trade and movement of caged 
birds) could rival migratory bird travel in importance as a 
pathway for the spread of AI. 
 
Comment: Visit Reinforces U.S.-Panama Health Cooperation 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
 
¶7.  (SBU) Secretary Leavitt's visit significantly reinforced 
the U.S.-Panama partnership on public health.  Health 
Minister Camilo Alleyne noted (with obvious delight) that 
this was the first ever visit of a U.S. Health Secretary, 
despite decades of bilateral collaboration.  GMI Director 
Jorge Motta told Econ Chief that the visit delivered a huge 
boost to his and Alleyne's efforts to raise the profile of AI 
and pandemic preparedness, both with the public and with top 
GOP leaders.  (For example, Vice President Samuel Lewis 
Navarro participated in a breakfast meeting hosted by the 
Ambassador in honor of Secretary Leavitt, as well as in the 
opening of the COMISCA meeting.  President Martin Torrijos 
and the First Lady also hosted a lunch for Secretary Leavitt 
and were clearly interested in the issue.)  As reported 
septel, the GOP is increasingly pursuing inter-institutional 
coordination on AI preparedness.  By highlighting the depth 
and breadth of USG engagement here on health, the Secretary's 
visit offered an im 
portant counterweight to Cuban and Venezuelan efforts to gain 
influence through "medical diplomacy."  End comment. 
 
¶8.  (U) This message was not cleared by the HHS delegation. 
EATON