US embassy cable - 05KINGSTON2306

UNCLAS KINGSTON 002306 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR (BENT); USAID FOR DAN RILEY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: TBIO, KSCA, EAGR, ECON, PREL, SOCI, JM, WHO, avian 
SUBJECT: JAMAICA - ADDRESSING THE THREAT OF AVIAN INFLUENZA 
 
REF: A. KINGSTON 2148 
     B. STATE 153802 
     C. STATE 175585 
 
1. On September 27, Pol/Econ Chief, accompanied by USAID 
Missof, met with Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Grace 
Allen-Young and Dr. Lynette Peters, MOH Veterinary Services 
Director, to discuss the state of Jamaica's preparations to 
confront any outbreak of avian influenza on the island.  P/E 
Chief began by relating recent Embassy outreach to the 
Foreign Affairs and Agriculture Ministries (Ref A), providing 
Young and Peters with a copy of Ref B and Ref C points for 
discussion. 
 
2. Allen-Young said that MOH had already begun internal 
review of a draft avian influenza action plan prepared by 
Peters and by Dr. Barrington Wint, MOH Chief Medical Officer, 
that included an inspection procedures for the tourism sector 
and poultry farmers.  Allen Young said she expected that the 
plan would be finalized by the end of October, and that she 
would share it with the USG at that time.  She said that the 
Asian SARS outbreak had galvanized the GOJ and the national 
health sector - particularly, she said, once the GOJ learned 
that more Chinese, and Chinese-Jamaicans, traveled between 
China and Jamaica than had previously been realized.  MOH 
maintains a Public Health nurse at both Kingston's Norman 
Manley International Airport and at Montego Bay's Sangster 
International Airport, she said. 
 
3. Procedures and preparations begun at that time are being 
adapted to deal with avian influenza.  Allen Young emphasized 
that MOH maintains good relations with the U.S. Center for 
Disease Control (CDC), and with the Caribbean Regional 
Epidemiological Center (CAREC), and indicated that they would 
continue to consult closely with CDC and CAREC regarding 
avian influenza.  She noted that the types of medicines 
needed to treat avian influenza outbreak would likely be more 
readily available in the U.S. and in other developed 
countries, adding that that Jamaica and other CARICOM 
countries were concerned that in a health crisis, smaller 
countries could find their orders for medical supplies 
pre-empted by larger requests from elsewhere, with 
potentially lethal consequences in Jamaica or the Caribbean. 
 
4. Noting the prevalence of mixed farming in Jamaica, and the 
fact that many poorer Jamaicans live in close proximity to 
chickens, ducks, swine, and other animals, Dr. Peters said 
that the MOH is especially attuned to the risk of avian 
influenza.  She said that the GOJ has established a Working 
Group consisting of representatives of MOH, Agriculture, and 
major poultry producers, to consider health-related avian 
issues. 
 
5. Allen Young identified Dr. Barrington Wint, Chief Medical 
Officer, MOH, is the GOJ's senior POC on avian influenza 
issues. 
ROBINSON