WGSARS: Vietnamese Medical Situation - Update 3/28

UNCLAS HANOI 000789

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

FOR M/MED C.DUMONT, HODAI, DORSEY;
CA FOR M.HARTY, ANDRUCH;
M FOR ERIN ROONEY, NAMM;
EAP/EX FOR BAER, SHEPPARD, JENKINS;
EAP/BCLTV;
BANGKOK FOR ADM KEUR, RMO KEYES

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMED AMGT CASC TBIO VM
SUBJECT: WGSARS: Vietnamese Medical Situation - Update 3/28

REF: Hanoi 768


1. (U) To our knowledge, no new SARS cases were reported on
March 28 (but Mission was unable to get a hold of WHO in Hanoi by
COB today to verify this information). The French Hospital
discharged another four persons on the evening of March 27 for a
total of 13 cases discharged since the beginning of the outbreak.


2. (U) The Australian Embassy reports that it is providing
prospective travelers to Vietnam with information from the World
Health Organization's website and is advising that Australians
concerned at the risks presented by SARS in certain countries
should reconsider their need to travel. Denmark and the United
Kingdom also are providing information based on the WHO website.
The Canadian Embassy provides SARS information from its Health
Canada website. The French Embassy is sending out warden
messages almost everyday and is also posting information on its
Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. The Czech Republic's
Embassy is advising Czech citizens to defer all non-essential
travel to Vietnam and is cautioning about secondary effects due
to the reduction of available medical facilities in Hanoi.


3. (U) In our message to non-official American citizen wardens
on March 17, Mission advised that American citizens should avoid
visiting hospitals or clinics. We no longer believe this
precaution is necessary. Clinics have instituted careful
screening procedures to separate any potential SARS cases from
the general population in waiting rooms. In addition, barring a
new introduction of SARS from outside of Vietnam, it appears that
SARS continues to be confined to the health care community in
Vietnam.

BURGHARDT