VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDR #0694 1340330
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 140330Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6137
INFO RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 0435

UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000694 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
IO, G/AIG, ISN, AF/E FOR BARBARA YODER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: TBIO AORC PREL KFLU WHO TZ
SUBJECT: INFLUENZA COOPERATION, CAPACITY-BUILDING NEEDED, 
SAYS TANZANIA 
 
REF: STATE 61739 
 
¶1.  (U)  The Government of Tanzania (GOT) lacks the capacity 
to generate data and samples to contribute to the World 
Health Organization's (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance 
Network, but believes WHO member states are obliged by WHO 
agreements to contribute such data and samples.  Dr. Peter 
Mmbuji, Director of Epidemiology at the Ministry of Health, 
confirmed to Econoff in a May 10 meeting that the GOT would 
share such data and samples with the WHO should it have the 
capacity to generate them.  Mmbuji believes countries that 
are raising the issue of refusing to share samples with the 
WHO network are doing so in order to create a discussion 
regarding potential cost subsidies and, "once open to 
discussion, solutions can be found." 
 
¶2.  (U)  Mmbuji emphasized that developing countries, 
including Tanzania, need assistance to develop technical 
capacity and noted Tanzania is one of a group of countries 
that has submitted to the US Centers for Disease Control and 
Prvention (CDC) a proposal for a Global Influenza Initiative. 
 This initiative will form a cooperative agreement between 
CDC and certain developing countries for capacity-building in 
influenza surveillance and sample collection and testing. 
Econoff noted that the USG provided USD 10 million to the WHO 
to expand the development and manufacture of influenza 
vaccines in developing countries and is willing to consider 
contributions to both pre-pandemic and virtual pandemic 
stockpiles, all of which Mmbuji noted with approval. 
 
¶3.  (U)  The destruction of known smallpox virus stocks is "a 
challenging issue," Mmbuji said, but added that he did not 
know the position of the GOT on this issue.  David Mwakyusa, 
Minister of Health and Social Welfare and head of the GOT 
delegation to the WHA, is in Geneva for meetings in advance 
of the WHA and, therefore, unavailable for comment in Dar es 
Salaam.  Post suggests the USG delegation contact Minister 
Mwakyusa in Geneva to clarify the GOT position regarding 
destruction of the smallpox virus stocks. 
 
¶4.  (U)  The GOT delegation to the WHA will include: 
Hon. David Mwakyusa, Minister of Health and Social Welfare; 
Ms. Hilda Gondwe, Permanent Secretary of Health and Social 
Welfare; 
Dr. Deogratius Mtasiwa, Chief Medical Officer; 
Dr. Peter Mmbuji, Director of Epidemiology; and 
Dr. Rafael B.M. Kalinga, Assistant Director of Epidemiology. 
 
¶5.  (U)  COMMENT:  Dr. Mmbuji failed to mention specifically 
the assistance currently provided by the Agency for 
International Development (AID) and CDC regarding influenza 
surveillance.  AID supports influenza surveillance, diagnosis 
and reporting of both human and animal cases through the 
Avian Influenza program with the Ministry of Livestock and 
the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.  The Influenza 
Coordinator at CDC Tanzania is working with Mmbuji to develop 
the proposal he mentioned to Econoff regarding a cooperative 
agreement for capacity-building.  Parties expect to submit 
the proposal to CDC Atlanta on May 14.  CDC works through, 
and with, the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network at 
global and country levels.  END COMMENT 
RETZER