US embassy cable - 05SANTIAGO2393

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 002393 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAGR, EAID, ECON, PREL, SENV, TBIO, CI 
SUBJECT: CHILE: PART I - AGRICULTURAL SECTOR PREPARATIONS 
FOR AVIAN AND PANDEMIC INFLUENZA 
 
REF: A. SECSTATE 209622 
 
     B. SANTIAGO 01825 
 
1. Summary: This cable outlines preparations in Chile's 
agricultural sector.  An evaluation of the Chilean public 
health sector preparations with be reported septel. 
 
2. Chile has experience with avian influenza (AI) issues due 
to a 2002 outbreak of the disease.  The GOC demonstrated 
transparency and efficiency during the 2002 incident, and the 
entire poultry industry upgraded its biosafety measures. 
Post believes the Chilean agricultural sector is prepared to 
meet the current international challenge.  End summary. 
 
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Preparedness/Communication 
-------------------------- 
 
3. The GOC does have a plan in place to prevent avian flu 
from becoming pandemic, and containing a pandemic if it 
occurs.  Spanish-language information on this plan can be 
found on the Ministry of Agriculture's web page 
(www.sag.gob.cl/framearea.asp?cod=4).  Embassy Santiago's 
Agricultural Attach and Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) personnel agree that Chile is fully capable 
of implementing its domestic plan. 
 
4. As reported in reftel B, Chile has experience with this 
disease.  In 2002, the first outbreak of AI in Chile led to 
the slaughter of $15 million worth of birds from a single 
poultry producer.  Chile successfully eradicated the disease 
within 6 months through a close collaboration between the 
public and private sectors.  Chile immediately notified its 
trading partners, sought assistance from the UN Food & 
Agriculture Organization (FAO), and quarantined itself for 
three months.  Since then, it has systematically increased 
the level of sampling in both domestic and wild bird 
populations. 
 
5. The Chilean agricultural sector is critical to the 
country's thriving economy, and AI preparations have been an 
important priority for the Ministry of Agriculture.  Minister 
of Agriculture Campos appointed Claudio Ternicier, 
International Trade Director, Livestock Protection Division, 
Agricultural Livestock Service (SAG) to be the Government of 
Chile's key point of contact for this issue. 
 
6. Chile is actively working with international partners on 
this issue, most notably with Asia Pacific Economic 
Cooperation (APEC) members.  Chile recently signed free trade 
agreements with a number of Asian countries (China, South 
Korean, Singapore, Brunei and New Zealand) so it is conscious 
of how outbreaks in Asia could affect its own economy.  On 
July 28, 2005, a Chilean delegation traveled to San Francisco 
to participate in an APEC AI Task Force.  On October 24, 
2005, Chile hosted an APEC training seminar for AI technical 
experts.  Two U.S. experts attended this conference.  Chile 
has also welcomed USG-sponsored training initiatives and SAG 
employees have participated in recent seminars in Iowa and 
Colorado. 
 
7. Chile would welcome additional assistance from the U.S. 
In an August 2005 meeting with Ambassador Kelly, Minister 
Campos urged the USG to take the lead on this complex issue. 
Campos noted that, while Chile appears to be well prepared in 
terms of testing facilities and equipment, it would welcome 
additional scientific collaboration, as Chilean technical 
experts need assistance in following the very latest 
developments. 
 
8. The GOC also indicated its willingness to provide training 
to others.  As one of the countries with a successful track 
record on this issue, they have important "lessons learned" 
which could be shared with other countries. 
 
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Surveillance/Detection 
---------------------- 
 
9. The Chilean agricultural sector is capable of detecting a 
new strain of influenza among animals.  Animal tests can be 
processed in 3 days by in-country labs.  As mentioned, 
increased sampling since 2002 would improve rapid detection. 
From an animal health perspective, there are no major gaps in 
Chile's detection capabilities.  Per reftel B, the GOC 
follows international protocols on this issue. 
 
-------------------- 
Response/Containment 
-------------------- 
 
10. Chile's poultry industry is vertically integrated, with 
three major companies dominating production, processing and 
sales.  All three producers have taken AI seriously and have 
implemented rapid response mechanisms in close coordination 
with SAG.  Government and industry worked together during the 
2002 outbreak and the affected producer swiftly complied with 
orders to destroy $15 million worth of his stock. 
 
11. SAG operates quarantine facilities throughout Chile, as 
well as mobile labs which can be dispatched to "hot spots." 
These stations are well-stocked with personal protective 
gear, staffed by trained personnel and have proved effective 
in the past. 
KELLY