VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAM #0069 0081144
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 081144Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1396
INFO RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0932
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 4779
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 3463
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 2764
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 1875
RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 3771
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 5688
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 1556
RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 0943
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0636
RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC
RUEAUSA/AFIS WASHDC

UNCLAS AMMAN 000069 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
OFFICE OF GLOBAL ANALYSIS OFFICE OF GLOBAL ANALYSIS Top of Form 
STATE FOR OES, M/MED, NEA/RA (LAWSON) 
STATE PASS USAID FOR GLOBAL HEALTH 
FAS FOR OFFICE OF TRADE PROGRAMS 
FAS FOR OFFICE OF GLOBAL ANALYSIS FAS FOR OFFICE OF GLOBAL ANALYSIS 
CAIRO FOR FAS AGMINCOUNS PKURZ 
CAIRO FOR APHIS ATTACHE LLOGAN 
GENEVA FOR WHO REPRESENTATIVE 
ROME PASS US MISSION FAO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: TBIO KFLU EAGR ETRD JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN MAINTAINS HIGHEST ALERT STATUS FOR AVIAN INFLUENZA 
FOLLOWING OUTBREAK IN ISRAEL 
 
REF: A. Tel Aviv 32 
 
      ¶B. 07 Amman 5012 
      ¶C. 07 Riyadh 2412 
 
Sensitive but unclassified.  Not for internet distribution. 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Following Israel's announcement of the discovery of the 
H5N1 virus at a poultry farm, the Government of Jordan (GOJ) has 
reviewed and maintained its highest level of alert status for the 
threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) (ref A).  Israeli 
authorities reported the incident on January 3 to the International 
Organization of Animal Health (OIE) and simultaneously to Jordan's 
Ministry of Health (MOH), which in turn informed the Jordanian 
Ministry of Agriculture (MoA).  Dr. Nasir Al-Hawamdeh, MOA Assistant 
Secretary General for Animal Welfare, informed EmbOffs that despite 
 
SIPDIS 
sound coordination between his ministry and its Israeli counterpart 
during the 2006 AI crises, there was no direct contact for this 
occurrence.  Nevertheless, Hawamdeh confirmed that the MOA has taken 
immediate action, and added to its current alert status protective 
measures such as imposing a ban on all Israeli poultry products 
(which includes poultry transiting through Israel), and nullifying 
any previously granted poultry import licenses. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Veterinarian Laboratories Director Dr. Mahmoud Al-Hadid 
further confirmed to EmbOffs that his laboratories and staff are 
prepared for any challenge.  He cited the availability and 
accessibility to protective gear, rapid testing materials, and 
disinfectants and sprayers, including equipped tractors.  He 
reiterated that the trigger for Jordan's heightened preparedness to 
combat AI was actually in October 2007 when an outbreak occurred in 
Saudi Arabia (ref C).  At that time, the GOJ put into action its 
contingency plan, which was only reinforced by the Israeli outbreak. 
 The plan includes a higher level of active surveillance for both 
commercial and backyard poultry farms, with a special focus on 
previously identified high risk areas (HRA).  The plan also includes 
raising the level of active monitoring by the Royal Society for 
Conservation of Nature of migratory birds for any abnormal behavior. 
 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Dr. Lora Sawalha, Director of the Food and Agriculture 
Organization (FAO) Avian Influenza project at the MOA, confirmed the 
ministry will fully implement the GOJ plan.  She noted that the MOA 
is waiting for diagnostic kits for mass inspection to test birds in 
high risk areas.  One thousand kits are expected to arrive in Jordan 
in late January from FAO headquarters. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) COMMENT: The poultry industry is Jordan's biggest 
agribusiness, with a capital investment of more than USD 1.4 billion 
dollars.  The industry provides the country with 65 percent of the 
white meat consumed and 99 percent of locally consumed eggs.  As a 
result, Jordan takes seriously its responsibilities to prevent or 
contain HPAI. 
 
Visit Amman's Classified Website at: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman 
 
HALE