US embassy cable - 05NDJAMENA1753

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Identifier:	05NDJAMENA1753
Wikileaks:	View 05NDJAMENA1753 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Ndjamena
Created:	2005-12-09 12:53:00
Classification:	UNCLASSIFIED
Tags:	SENV TBIO ECON EAGR CD Environment
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

UNCLAS NDJAMENA 001753 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
ROME FOR FODAG 
ACCRA FOR WARP/COONEY AND BROWDER 
OES FOR FOR SINGER AND DALEY 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: SENV, TBIO, ECON, EAGR, CD, Environment 
SUBJECT: CHAD: MOVING SLOWLY ON AI PREPAREDNESS 
 
Ref:  A) N'djamena 1561; B) SecState 209622 
 
1.  Summary:  Chad is slowly gearing up to official 
recognition of the threat of avian influenza.  The 
government has prohibited the entry of live poultry into 
areas at risk and strengthened the government's existing 
veterinary surveillance system.  Wild birds are expected in 
the Lake Chad area from December through February.  A more 
detailed national plan will be developed with FAO Technical 
Assistance.  End summary. 
 
2.  This cable updates information provided in reftel (A) 
concerning the state of preparedness in Chad.  Government of 
Chad (GOC) authorities, headed by the Ministry of Livestock, 
met October 25, 2005 to discuss measures to be taken to 
prevent introduction of infected poultry into Chad and to 
strengthen surveillance of wild birds.  As a result of the 
meeting, the government issued a decree to prohibit the 
entry of live poultry into the zones at risk and reinforce 
the surveillance network currently in place and the capacity 
of the veterinary laboratory.  While the country reportedly 
has a reasonable veterinary network (cordon sanitaire) in 
the east to assist in monitoring of livestock diseases from 
Sudan, western Chad (where migrating wild bird are expected 
between December - February) does not have similar 
infrastructure.   Similarly, due to porous borders, it is 
unlikely that the government will be able to effectively 
enforce the ban on live imports. 
 
3.  A FAO-funded technical adviser is expected in December 
to develop a more comprehensive national plan.  FAO 
representative Mamadou Diallo reported to EmbOffs November 
21 that FAO is funding a regional project for West Africa 
(including Cameroon and Chad) which will provide for support 
for veterinary services and preventative measures.  Funded 
at USD 400,000, there is very little to go around from 
country to country, and FAO rep acknowledged the need for 
much greater financial assistance for specific national 
plans.  FAO Rep also reported that the participation of the 
Ministry of Health is still lagging in the inter-agency 
effort and the Ministry of Livestock and the National 
Veterinary Laboratory are the focal points for GOC action at 
this time. 
 
4.  DCM met with the Minister of Livestock, Mahamat Allamine 
Bourma Treye, December 7, to discuss Chad's state of 
preparedness.  The Minister stressed Chad's vulnerability as 
a major host to migratory birds and emphasized that Chad 
lacked the means to effectively monitor and test any 
suspected cases. He pointed out that, in the case of an 
outbreak of avian flu, Chad's 24 million domestic poultry 
would be at risk with implications for the livelihoods of 
the many small farmers that keep poultry. 
 
5.  Comment:  We anticipate that the FAO-assisted national 
plan will be circulated to donors as a basis for funding 
specific national needs.  End comment. 
 
Wall 
 
 
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