US embassy cable - 05ATHENS2845

UNCLAS ATHENS 002845 
 
SIPDIS 
 
PASS TO CELESTE CONNORS EUR/PGI 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CASC, TBIO, GR, AVIANFLU 
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON AVIAN INFLUENZA IN GREECE; ALL TESTS FOR 
H5N1 NEGATIVE 
 
FOLLOWING MESSAGE BEING RESENT UNDER NEW MRN AND MCNS. 
MESSAGE WAS SENT AS ATHENS 2793 ON 31 OCT 2005. 
 
REF: ATHENS 002748 
 
1. (U) The GoG Ministry of Agriculture announced on 29 
October that the virological test results for the previously 
reported case of Avian Influenza on the Island of Oiniousses 
were negative in the data supplied by both the EU laboratory 
in Weybridge U.K. and the Thessaloniki Virological 
Laboratory. 
 
2. (U) Earlier serological tests from both laboratories were 
negative as well.  Virological test results were delayed due 
to the long incubation period needed for the samples (13 
total days). 
 
3. (U) The economic effects of the Ministry of Agriculture's 
17 October announcement of a positive test for Avian 
Influenza have had a significant impact on the domestic 
poultry market.  The Greek poultry industry has reported a 
70% decrease in demand for poultry products over the past 
week; a market which represents over 500 million Euro 
annually. Post will report on the effect of Avian Influenza 
on the domestic poultry market septel. 
 
4. (U) Post will continue stay in contact with GoG contacts 
and local press for any activity or reports of potential 
Avian Influenza activity. 
RIES