US embassy cable - 05ATHENS2748

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 002748 
 
SIPDIS 
 
PASS TO CELESTE CONNORS EUR/PGI 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CASC, TBIO, GR, AVIANFLU 
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON AVIAN INFLUENZA IN GREECE; H5N1 NOT 
CONFIRMED, ALL TESTING INCONCLUSIVE 
 
REF: ATHENS 027151 
 
1. (SBU) Summary:  Despite the GoG announcement on 17 October 
of a positive test for Avian Influenza within its borders, 
recent serological testing for H5N1 has proven negative at 
both the Thessaloniki Virological Laboratory and EU Reference 
Laboratory in Weybridge, UK.  Additional testing is ongoing 
at each lab; with the more definitive virological test 
results for influenza, the egg embryo blood test, due next 
week.  The GoG confirmation of Avian Influenza in Greece thus 
appears to have been premature and showed at several points 
over the last week the government's lack of expertise in 
public relations, post remains vigilant for any definitive 
confirmation of H5N1 with respect to the proximity of 
confirmed cases in Turkey and Romania. End Summary 
 
Government Actions/Reactions 
---------------------------- 
 
2. (SBU) Since its premature announcement on 17 October, the 
GoG has taken has taken a pragmatic approach to the Avian 
situation in not wanting to create undue public concern by 
any of its subsequent statements or actions. While the GoG 
has struggled with its ability to effectively disseminate 
information to the general public, post has noted close 
cooperation with Brussels and open communication with Embassy 
staff that has made sifting through the media reports and 
conjecture far easier. Post has learned that the GoG is 
planning to utilize certain aspects of the bio-hazard plan 
developed for the 2004 Olympic Games as a basis for any 
potential outbreak of Avian Influenza as it relates to 
quarantine, treatment and overall public safety. 
 
Public Reaction to Government 
----------------------------- 
 
3. (SBU) In the media, there is open relief that the sample 
in question tested negative.  There is also a strong feeling 
that the GoG should have handled the issue in a more 
responsible way.  There is a general frustration directed 
primarily at the Ministry of Agriculture for the lack of 
information shared with the public.  There were several 
comments that the GoG in particular did not provide a 
realistic sense of the danger nor had it communicated 
effectively the facts surrounding Avian Flu.  Public comment 
indicates that health experts utilized by the media were 
appreciated, especially in the void created by the GoG. 
 
Effects on the Poultry Market 
----------------------------- 
 
4. (U) Although Greece is a net poultry importer, it produces 
80 percent of the poultry it consumes; 180,000 metric tons 
per annum.  The estimated value of the poultry market in 
Greece is: Meat-450 million euros, Eggs-120 million euros. 
While Greece does engage in some frozen exports, the size of 
the export market and the effects of recent bans on Greek 
poultry will not have a significant effect on the economy. 
Rather, a decrease in poultry consumption by a misinformed or 
uninformed public will cause significant stress to domestic 
poultry producers and force the 16-week harvest cycle for the 
birds into a 16-week harvest and freeze cycle, thus 
increasing the supply of frozen chicken within the country. 
A spokesman for the Greek poultry industry recently claimed 
that sales of poultry were down 60-70 percent in the last 
week. 
 
Amcit concerns remains low 
-------------------------- 
 
5. (U) The consulate has received fewer calls from Amcits 
regarding Avian Influenza than anticipated.  While general 
Amcit public concern remains low key, Consular has posted a 
link on the Embassy website to the Avian Flu Fact Sheet of 
the Department as well as the appropriate CDC and WHO sites. 
The Ambassador has scheduled a Town Hall meeting for 
Wednesday the 26th of October where the RMO, CONS and Embassy 
Staff will address concerns surrounding a potential Avian 
outbreak.  The same day, consular will hold a previously 
scheduled warden's meeting to ensure that the facts, 
concerns, and preparedness of the USG are understood by the 
greater Amcit community. 
 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
6. (SBU) It is important to note that Greece contains 10-12 
major wetland areas with high concentrations of migratory 
birds which pose a potentially serious risk for transmission 
of the H5N1 virus. That said, contacts in the Agriculture 
Ministry suspect that many reports of dead birds in the 
region will ultimately be attributed to the highly contagious 
Newcastle Disease, a paramyxovirus prevalent in the Balkans. 
 
7. (SBU) It is critical for the GoG to ensure that its 
citizens understand the facts, probability of an outbreak, 
and the risks presented by Avian Influenza.  Unfortunately, 
the GoG does not appear to have learned its lesson regarding 
public relations from its handling of the Helios Airways 
tragedy in August and has once again made its work more 
difficult by alienating the public by lack of effective 
communication.  Post continues to prepare internal plans and 
procedures for the mission and communication with Amcits 
which will be reported septel. 
RIES