VZCZCXRO2904
PP RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHJA #1113/01 1580834
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 060834Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9223
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA
INFO RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC
RUEAWJB/DOJ WASHDC
RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 7788

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 JAKARTA 001113 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, G/AIAG, L/DL, EAP/EX, AND OES/IHA 
USAID FOR ANE/CLEMENTS AND GH/CARROLL 
DEPT ALSO PASS TO HHS/WSTEIGER/MSTLOUIS AND HHS/NIH 
DEPT ALSO PASS TO DOJ for OFL 
GENEVA FOR WHO/HOHMAN 
USDA/FAS/OSTA BRANT, ROSENBLUM 
USDA/APHIS ANNELLI 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: TBIO EAGR AMGT KFLU PGOV ID
SUBJECT: INDONESIA - JUNE 6 AVIAN INFLUENZA UPDATE 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary.  In a move that surprised many of her 
subordinates, Minister of Health Siti Fadilah Supari has told her 
staff to no longer report avian influenza (AI) human deaths to the 
World Health Organization after they've been confirmed by Ministry 
of Health (MOH) laboratories.  Indonesian press currently reports 
Indonesian case fatalities at 109 deaths, while WHO officially lists 
the deaths at 108.  The in-depth assessment of USG funded AI 
activities in Indonesia began on June 4 with a two-day launch 
workshop and will continue through June 25.  The National Committee 
for Avian Influenza Control and Pandemic Preparedness (KOMNAS) 
hosted a May 29 stock taking meeting to review Avian Influenza (AI) 
strategies and control measures.  USAID hosted a follow-up meeting 
with donors on 30 May to review KOMNAS findings and discuss 
implications for future donor support 
 
-------------------------------------- 
Supari Policy to Stop Reporting Deaths 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU) On June 4, the Associated Press reported that Indonesia 
will no longer formally announce AI deaths, as part of a new policy 
to improve Indonesia's image.  Minister of Health Supari is quoted 
as wanting to focus on positive achievements made by the government 
in combating bird flu. She notes she will eventually share the data, 
but in batches.  According to embassy sources, many Ministry of 
Health (MOH) officials, including key officials, were surprised to 
hear the announcement and do not agree with the policy.  One 
official told us that this change is not in compliance with 
Indonesian national law or international heath regulations and that 
he is writing the Minister to notify her that she is required by law 
to notify the public as quickly as possible about infectious disease 
threats.  The MOH is convening a meeting on June 7 to review the 
policy. 
 
¶3. (SBU)  The WHO website lists Indonesia with 133 cases with 108 
deaths, while Indonesian press reports 109 deaths.  However, in a 
MOH powerpoint presentation, Dr. Nyoman Kandun, Director General of 
Centers for Disease Control, used a slide listing 136 cases and 110 
deaths. An official with WHO told us that they do not report cases 
officially until announced by the Minister's office.  WHO has 
inquired why the last several cases discussed in the press have not 
been announced but have not received a response. According to WHO 
staff, WHO's country representative does not think meeting with the 
minister will be helpful. 
 
----------------------------------- 
INDONESIA'S INDEPTH AI REVIEW BEGINS 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶4.  (U) The Embassy launched its the Avian Influenza in-depth review 
on June 4.  The assessment will end on 25 June.  The assessment team 
will meet with Indonesian veterinary and health officials, civil 
society and private sector representatives, and other donors. 
Presentations during the first week included site visits and 
briefings on Mission expectations for the assessment, the USG 
program, highlights from the KOMNAS and USAID meetings (May 29-30), 
Ministry of Agriculture strategy revisions, and REDI Centre project 
highlights. 
 
¶5.  (U) The review team members are: Joy Riggs-Perla, Team Leader, 
Global Health (GH)