US embassy cable - 05HANOI3055

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 HANOI 003055 
 
SIPDIS 
 
USAID/RDM-A/BANGKOK PRIORITY 
STATE FOR G; CA/OCS/ACS/EAP; EAP/EX; EAP/BCLTV; EAP/EP; INR; 
OES/STC (PBATES); OES/IHA (DSINGER AND NCOMELLA) 
BANGKOK FOR RMO, CDC, USAID/RDM/A (MFRIEDMAN) 
USDA FOR FAS/PASS TO APHIS 
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FOR OSD/ISA/AP (LSTERN) 
USAID FOR ANE AND GH (DCAROLL, SCLEMENTS AND PCHAPLIN) 
STATE PASS USTR (ELENA BRYAN) 
STATE ALSO PASS HHS/OGHA (EELVANDER) 
ROME FOR FAO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMED, AMGT, CASC, EAGR, PINR, SOCI, PGOV, TBIO, VM, AFLU 
SUBJECT: VIETNAM: AVIAN INFLUENZA WEEKLY REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 
17, 2005 
 
REF: Hanoi 3009 and previous 
 
1.  (U) Summary.  While local press reported several 
possible human AI cases this week, there have been no 
confirmed cases and no AI deaths since the October 29 death 
reported in Reftel.  The GVN's Pasteur Institute of Ho Chi 
Minh City released information suggesting possible mutation 
of the H5N1 virus, but these reports have not been 
confirmed. The Government of Vietnam (GVN) aggressively 
stepped up its AI prevention program this week on a number 
of fronts.  Hanoi officials ordered the killing of all inner- 
city fowl and a thorough inspection campaign beginning Nov. 
17.  Sale and transport of chicken (and possibly eggs) in 
Hanoi appears to also been banned.  Hanoi, HCMC, Hue and 
Haiphong have banned family and small scale poultry raising. 
End Summary 
 
No New Confirmed AI Human Fatalities 
------------------------------------ 
 
2.  (U) There have been no confirmed AI human fatalities 
since the October 29 death of a Hanoi man reported in 
Reftel.  Press articles this week reported circumstances of 
seven possible AI human cases located in Hanoi, Haiphong, 
Bac Giang Province, and Quang Binh Province.  However, with 
the onset of the flu season, "suspected" AI cases reported 
in the press should be reviewed with suspicion.  None of the 
cases reported in the media this week have yet been 
confirmed as AI-related.  Two cases were later found to be 
AI negative by subsequent lab tests.  The previous suspect 
case reported in Reftel, para 4 also tested negative for AI 
and is recovering. 
 
Infections in Poultry Spread 
---------------------------- 
 
3.  (U) Bird flu in poultry was reported in four additional 
provinces this week, raising the total number of AI-affected 
cities and provinces in the current wave to 14.  These 
include two provinces in the Mekong Delta in the south: Bac 
Lieu and Dong Thap; eight northern cities and provinces: 
Hanoi, Haiphong, Bac Giang, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, 
Vinh Phuc and Bac Ninh; and three central provinces: Thanh 
Hoa, Quang Nam and Quang Ngai.  The total number of epidemic- 
affected communes rose to 85. 
 
 
4.  (U) Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Cao 
Duc Phat, warned of "belated discovery and surveillance of 
bird flu outbreaks in localities, as well as the people's 
negligence over the disease" at an AI meeting held in Hanoi 
on November 14.  Prime Minister Phan Van Khai called for 
better dissemination of information on AI by the media, 
comprehensive poultry vaccination and tight surveillance at 
the village level.  The National Steering Board for Bird Flu 
Control this week established nine delegations to inspect 
and monitor implementation of GVN instructions on AI 
prevention and control. 
 
Testing on Possible H5N1 Virus Mutation 
--------------------------------------- 
 
5.  (SBU) The Vietnamese press reported that the Pasteur 
Institute of Ho Chi Minh City released information 
suggesting possible mutations in the H5N1 virus.  Cao Bao 
Van, Director of the Molecular Biology Department of the 
Institute said that an analysis of 24 samples from a mix of 
animal specimens and human H5N1 cases from 2004 and early 
2005 indicate some mutations and genetic drift.  However, 
according to WHO Vietnam staff, the full data set has not 
been released to allow for an assessment as to whether 
findings are new or of concern.  The Health Attache and 
ConGen HCMC are closely following this issue. 
 
Suspension of Home Grown Poultry in Cities 
------------------------------------------ 
 
6.  (U) The GVN dramatically ramped up its already vigorous 
efforts to prevent an AI outbreak.  In a country long 
accustomed to city dwellers raising chickens, suspension of 
small-scale poultry farming has been ordered in Hanoi, HCMC, 
Hue and Haiphong.  The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) also 
reports that Hanoi's Steering Committee for Bird Flu 
Prevention will commence slaughter of all Hanoi's inner-city 
fowl in combination with a thorough inspection campaign 
beginning November 17.  Even pet birds sold in cages have 
suddenly disappeared from Hanoi's streets.  Farmers in bird 
flu-hit provinces have been ordered to cull fowl. 
 
Chicken on the Menu?  Eggs for Breakfast? 
----------------------------------------- 
 
7.  (U) Based on spot reports, Chicken is no longer to be 
seen in the "wet markets" or small shops throughout Hanoi. 
Vietnamese television news indicates that sale of "live" 
chicken is banned.  Only a few restaurants still serve 
chicken.  Chicken is available in some larger supermarkets, 
however, if obtained through Government-approved 
slaughterhouses.  The GVN Ministry of Agriculture's 
Resolution on Emergency Measures to Prevent Avian Influenza 
dated November 4, 2005 (MOA Resolution) orders: "In cities 
and towns, only slaughtered/processed poultry can be sold; 
strictly ban the trade of live poultry or slaughtering of 
poultry in wet markets or places that do not meet criteria 
set by the Veterinary Law."  The Vietnam News Agency reports 
that only certified-inspected poultry should be sold. 
 
8.  (SBU) Within the last three days, eggs also suddenly 
disappeared from Hanoi shops.  Consular staff surveyed 
stores and found that eggs are largely unavailable in the 
capital and many restaurants have removed eggs from their 
breakfast selections.  One storekeeper confided that she was 
hiding eggs in the back of her shop, because "the police are 
checking."  The MOA Resolution states:  "Diseased or un- 
inspected poultry/poultry products are not allowed to be 
traded or consumed."  It appears local officials in Hanoi 
may be interpreting this restriction as applying to eggs. 
 
9.  (SBU) Like Hanoi, HCMC has stringently applied a ban on 
raising poultry in the city, with a compliance deadline of 
November 15.  Press reports indicate that this has been 80 
percent accomplished and is rapidly approaching 100 percent. 
There is also a ban on poultry entering HCMC.  The Standing 
Vice Chairman of the HCMC People's Committee, who is in 
personal charge of these efforts, told the Consul General 
that he has made clear to the chairman of every district in 
the city that they will be held personally responsible for 
any AI outbreak among birds within their district. 
 
Tamiflu 
------- 
 
10.  (SBU) Consular staff are regularly fielding questions 
from resident Americans as well as U.S. companies and NGOs 
based in Vietnam about how to procure Tamiflu.  On October 
14, the GVN confiscated a large shipment of Tamiflu from 
Roche intended for private medical and pharmaceutical 
providers.  Vietnamese citizens are instructed via 
television and radio broadcasts not to purchase Tamiflu and 
that the Government will provide it free for anyone with flu 
symptoms.  Pharmacies have been instructed not to sell 
Tamiflu without a prescription (although prescriptions are 
generally not required in Vietnam). 
 
11.  (SBU) A November 1 article on VietnamNet reported on 
black market sales by pharmacies of Tamiflu at inflated 
prices (approximately 63 USD per ten-pill package). 
Consular staff asked about availability of Tamiflu at 
several pharmacies.  Some pharmacies denied holding stocks 
of Tamiflu, one offered Tamiflu only after the staff stated 
it was being purchased for an American company and two 
others said they would sell Tamiflu for 37 and 44 USD (for a 
ten-pill package), respectively. 
 
Vietnam Readies to Commence Human Vaccine Testing 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
12.  (SBU) Vietnam claims to be ready to pilot H5N1 
vaccinations on volunteer vaccine researchers after 
successful testing on monkeys, according to the Hanoi-based 
Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology.  The Vietnam- 
produced vaccine samples are now in the hands of the World 
Health Organization for analysis prior to human testing. 
The WHO has not approved the current vaccine for testing on 
humans, however. 
 
Poultry Inoculations Hastened 
----------------------------- 
 
13.  (U) The National Steering Committee for Bird Flu 
Prevention has required all localities across the country to 
step up poultry vaccination efforts in order to vaccinate 80 
percent of the domestic fowls by late November 2005. 
Veterinary Department officials indicate that as many as 93 
million poultry have been vaccinated nationwide to date. 
 
14. (U) Extensive coverage of U.S. financial assistance to 
Vietnam in its effort to fight the spread of Avian Influenza 
(AI) both in animals and humans appeared in the press. 
Articles noted favorably that U.S. support to Vietnam AI 
prevention efforts for this year is expected to total USD 
6.5 million.  Several articles detailed aspects of the 
various projects that will be funded by HHS, USAID and USDA. 
 
15.  (U) On November 15, Regional Medical Technologist Cecil 
Dunn from Jakarta gave a lecture to the Embassy personnel on 
AI protection measures and how to prevent contracting the 
flu.  Embassy Med Unit is also offering classes on home care 
for sick family member to staff. 
 
Marine