PANDEMIC INFLUENZA: PREPARING FOR POSSIBLE

UNCLAS MADRID 002877 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR A/GSSI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT ASEC AMED KFLU KSAF KSEO TBIO SP SUBJECT: PANDEMIC INFLUENZA: PREPARING FOR POSSIBLE SHELTER-IN-PLACE REF: STATE 177681 ¶1. In response to reftel request (para 10),Post has issued a management notice informing all employees and their families of the need to prepare for a potential influenza pandemic. This management notice advised employees to stockpile supplies of food, infant formula and water, and other important items, for at least two weeks. The two week duration reflected the Department of Health and Human Services Guidelines for the United States, where the basic services infrastructure is similar to that in Spain. ¶2. Information about Avian Flu has been provided during periodic Town Hall meetings and the MED Avian Flu DVD has been made available to both Mission staff and the wider American community. Post will continue to emphasize during our Town Hall meetings reftel cable objective to improve preparedness. ¶3. With regards to additional steps recommended in reftel cable: -- To encourage the maintenance of personal hygiene, Management will procure additional alcohol, hand sanitizers, and dispensers for workplace and public areas in the embassy. -- Post will continue to improve our planning according to new incoming information. We will initiate efforts to stockpile additional fuel and spare parts for our motor pool. We will also stockpile spare parts for our generators, HVAC systems, computers, phones and other vital equipment. We will also explore revising procedures to ensure the cleaning of the facilities and equipment during critical periods. -- Post already has the ability to provide potable water for 8 weeks with normal use, and up to 12 weeks or more with restricted use. -- Health Unit has already advised Mission staff to secure one year supplies of needed medication. -- Health Unit continues to maintain local medical and public health liaison and has on hand appropriate stocks of antiviral pandemic medication and PEE equipment. -- Following London RMO,s instructions, the Health Unit has provided additional advice to employees. Employees have been encouraged to wipe the surfaces of their working areas with a paper towel, soap and water on a regular basis. These areas include their computers, keyboards, and telephone receiver. The Health Unit has distributed this information while reiterating previous advice regarding hand washing and cough barrier methods. AGUIRRE