PANDEMIC INFLUENZA: CAIRO PREPARATIONS FOR POSSIBLE

UNCLAS CAIRO 006821 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ELA, OES/WINN, A/GSSI FOR PACKER, CA/OCS FOR KRICHTER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT AMED TBIO ASEC CASC KFLU KSAF KSEO SUBJECT: PANDEMIC INFLUENZA: CAIRO PREPARATIONS FOR POSSIBLE SHELTER-IN-PLACE REF: STATE 177681 ¶1. (U) Since the outbreak of Avian Influenza in Egypt and neighboring countries in 2005, post has actively urged both mission members and the wider AMCIT community to prepare for pandemic influenza. In order to alert the community on the basics of AI and pandemic influenza preparation, the Embassy health unit published "shelter-in-place" instructions in our weekly circular, conducted numerous town hall meetings within and outside of the mission community, and spoke at two regional conferences for international schools. The health unit routinely reminds mission members to keep a 12-week supply of food and water in their homes. In keeping with worldwide guidelines, DOS supplied post with enough Tamiflu to provide treatment for 35% of American and LES employees and American family members. ¶2. (U) The Consular section, in addition to disseminating several warden messages to the community, also posted the State Department fact sheet on AI on the ACS website with links to relevant DOS, CDC, and other USG websites. Since Egypt has the second highest number of human cases in the world this year, the Consular section is prepared to rapidly inform the AMCIT community of any changes in the disease, such as sustained human to human transmission, through email, text messages, and a telephone hotline. Post is distributing a DOS produced video on preparing for pandemic influenza both within and outside of the mission community. ¶3. (U) Water supply: Embassy Cairo, one of the largest missions in the world, recognizes and takes seriously the potential water shortage situation that could occur in the event of pandemic influenza. Due to the size of the mission, we estimate a 12-week water supply to be roughly 126,000 gallons. Therefore, post constantly reminds mission members to maintain individual supplies of water in their homes. Additionally, the Embassy commissary maintains a supply of 100 cases of local water, and 100 cases of imported water. In preparation for Y2K, post purchased several back-up water tanks. The commissary has 425 liters of bleach in supply, for potential use in water purification while the Embassy chancery has an additional 75 liters. ¶4. (U) Avian Influenza Working Group: Post's AIWG meets on a regular basis both internally and with Egyptian authorities. The AIWG has established a series of tripwires, outlining appropriate steps for the EAC, CONS, MED, and RSO. The wealth of USG agencies in Cairo, including FAS, NAMRU, USAID, and many State offices, is a great asset to post's AI and pandemic influenza preparation. RICCIARDONE