KUWAIT EAC ON AVIAN INFLUENZA (01/31/2006)

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000348 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR CA/OCS, NEA/EX, NEA/ARPI, NEA/RA, M/MED DS FOR DS/DSS/ITA, DS/OSAC, DS/IP/NEA, DS/DSS/CC POSTS FOR RSO AND HEALTH UNIT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMED AMGT ASEC CA KU TBIO KFLU SUBJECT: KUWAIT EAC ON AVIAN INFLUENZA (01/31/2006) REF: A. 05 KUWAIT 4567 ¶B. 05 KUWAIT 4824 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On 31 January 2006, the DCM convened a full Emergency Action Committee (EAC) to discuss Embassy Kuwait's contingency planning for Avian Influenza (AI) due to reports by the World Health Organization (WHO) of animal to human transmission of the H5N1 virus in Iraq. This transmission meets Tripwire 2 in Embassy Kuwait's emergency preparedness planning for AI. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) The DCM convened a full EAC with representatives from the following offices: RSO, MGT, ECON, MED, CUSTOMS, POL, POLMIL, CONS, DAO, PA, CICA, GSO, FCS, IRM, MSG, HR, and IBB. The DCM reviewed the cases reported in Iraq by the WHO of preliminary confirmation of H5N1 AI virus in the death on 17 January 2006 of a 15-year old female, and the investigation into the death of her uncle on 27 January 2006. The DCM noted these cases would meet the criteria for Tripwire 2 which was defined as "Any case of AI among humans in Kuwait or Gulf region (animal to human transmission.)" ¶3. (SBU) The EAC agreed to proceed with actions suggested in the AI preparedness plan under tripwires #1 and #2 including: ¶A. (SBU) Issuance of a management notice including information on health care, ways to prevent disease transmission, emergency preparedness, and a reference guide for finding additional information. The notice will include information publicly available from WHO, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC),and the PandemicFlu.gov website. The information will also be provided on the embassy intranet for easy access, and a quick reference guide will be created so employees can have a consolidated source of locally applicable phone numbers and points of contact. ¶B. (SBU) The embassy Health Unit will provide briefings for employees, family members, and household staff. These briefings will include information on topics such as food handling, disease transmission, hand washing, and home health care. ¶C. (SBU) CONS will draft a warden message to repeat the previously issued information as well as update the American community on available resources including WHO, CDC, and PandemicFlu.gov. ¶4. (SBU) ECON briefed the EAC on ongoing contacts with the Government of Kuwait (GOK) on the GOK response to AI including agricultural issues and plans for decontamination of vehicles entering Kuwait from Iraq. ECON will report status of host government actions via septel. ¶5. (SBU) Post's Avian Influenza Working Group (AIWG) will continue meeting to ensure Tripwires are current and modify recommendations as necessary. ¶6. (SBU) There has been no new security information or change to the assessment of threats against U.S. personnel or facilities in Kuwait so the EAC concluded the session. LeBaron