US embassy cable - 05PANAMA2311

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PANAMA 002311 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR OES/IHA - SINGER AND DALEY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: TBIO, SENV, EAID, EAGR, ECON, ECONOMIC AFFAIRS 
SUBJECT: PANAMA'S READINESS FOR AVIAN/PANDEMIC FLU 
 
REF: STATE 209622 
 
1. Summary: the GOP has nearly completed a National Avian 
Influenza (AI) Plan that details the institutions responsible 
for preparedness/communication, surveillance/detection, and 
response/containment.  The GOP's inter-agency effort is led 
by the Ministry of Health and includes support from the 
Panamerican Health Organization (PAHO) in Panama.  The Gorgas 
Memorial Institute and the Smithsonian Tropical Research 
Institute (STRI) are increasingly engaged in AI issues and 
could augment both domestic and international efforts to 
prevent or manage an AI outbreak.   The Smithsonian seeks to 
be included on the President's Avian Flu Task Force and seeks 
USG support for funding of its proposed "National Avian Flu 
Clearinghouse".  End Summary. 
 
2. Below are responses keyed to reftel questionnaire 
 
A) Preparedness/Communication 
 
-- The Ministry of Health has been working on a national 
preparedness plan for avian/pandemic influenza since April 
2005.  The GOP's response capacity to a limited outbreak of 
human H5N1 seems adequate.  Its response capacity to a 
large-scale outbreak of human H5N1 appears weak.  There is 
insufficient trained staff.  Also, staffing is below the 
levels that would be needed to cover the country.  The GOP's 
preparedness plan is nearly finished.  Post has emailed a 
copy of the GOP's draft plan to OES/IHA. 
 
-- The GOP has been forthcoming in sharing its initial AI 
plans with Post, which includes detailed provisions regarding 
communications with the public.  Post anticipates that the 
GOP would likewise be forthcoming in reporting the scope of 
any human or animal disease outbreak. 
 
-- The level of recognition is medium to high among key GOP 
officials, with the Ministry of Health taking the lead and 
demonstrating a higher level of recognition of the 
implications of AI.  Oversight of the implementation of the 
national preparedness strategy/plan will be at the highest 
GOP level, that is, the Council of Ministers in the Executive 
Branch.  There is political will to address these issues in 
the best manner possible as a matter of State. 
 
-- The GOP's draft preparedness plan describes the existing 
legal underpinnings for the plan and identifies at least 15 
new laws, regulations, or executive decrees that remain to be 
developed to ensure an adequate regime to detect, report, 
contain, or respond to an AI outbreak. 
 
-- The Ministry of Health is working closely with the 
Panamerican Health Organization (PAHO) in Panama.  It is 
unclear whether the GOP has coordinated with the Food and 
Agricultural Organization (FAO), but the GOP does collaborate 
routinely with the World Organization for Animal Health 
(OIE).  As the Ministry of Health has inquired previously 
about U.S. avian flu efforts, post expects the GOP would be 
receptive to approaches from the USG, either bilaterally or 
in a multilateral context. 
 
-- There has been wide coverage of AI issues in Panamanian 
media.  Although awareness among the general public is 
relatively high in the urban areas, it is likely less so in 
rural areas.  Local poultry producers have reacted to media 
stories on AI by cautioning GOP officials against unduly 
alarming the general public.  Producers and key GOP 
ministries (Agriculture and Health ) have agreed to 
coordinate on press conferences, releases, advisories, etc. 
 
B) Surveillance/Detection 
 
-- Preparation of the GOP's National AI Plan is led by the 
Ministries of Health and Agriculture, as well as the Gorgas 
Memorial Institute of Tropical and Preventative Medicine, 
Incorporation (aka "Gorgas Memorial Institute"), together 
with support from PAHO.  Post is not in a position to qualify 
the diagnostic capabilities of Health Ministry 
epidemiologists nor the Agriculture Ministry's animal health 
personnel.  However, the Gorgas Memorial Institute enjoys a 
solid reputation internationally for its epidemiological 
expertise. 
 
-  As Panama represents the most important Western Hemisphere 
bottleneck for migratory birds traveling to/from North 
America, it is an ideal early-warning surveillance point for 
capturing and testing migratory birds.  Moreover, the 
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) has a long 
history in Panama and enjoys a strong working relationship 
with relevant GOP entities, the Gorgas Memorial Institute, 
and Panamanian and international academia.  During President 
Bush's November 7 visit to Panama, STRI executive Director 
Ira Rubinoff briefed the President on STRI's work to 
strengthen ties with local, U.S., and international agencies 
to assist in early detection and tracking of avian flu and 
other bird-borne diseases.  Inclusion of the Smithsonian on 
the President's Avian Flu Task Force and support for the 
Smithsonian's  proposed "National Avian Flu Clearinghouse" 
are two specific actions the USG could take to bolster both 
U.S. and Panamanian abilities to detect and combat Avian Flu. 
 
c) Response/Containment 
 
-- The Ministry of Health recently obtained an extraordinary 
credit for $1.4 million in its CY 2005 budget to purchase 
Tamiflu to treat 80,000 patients,  The purchase of other 
equipment, medicines and  commodities will be covered in the 
CY 2006 budget currently in the process of formulation. 
 
-- Distribution and use of the stockpiles is contemplated in 
the overall national strategy, but it needs to be laid out in 
an action plan.  The intention is to proceed regionally and 
in a decentralized manner. 
-  The GOP's draft National Plan details specific preventive 
and containment measures to be taken by a variety of entities 
at different stages of an AI outbreak.  Panama no longer has 
a standing military, but GOP law enforcement authorities 
recently demonstrated their readiness and capacity to 
implement "social distancing measures" during President 
Bush's recent visit to Panama City. 
EATON