AVIAN INFLUENZA: JAPAN WEEKLY REPORT FEBRUARY 16

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000850 SIPDIS DEPT FOR OES/IHA POWELL, SINGER AND FENDRICK DEPT FOR EAP/J USDA PASS TO APHIS HHS PASS TO CDC HHS FOR OGHA STEIGER, BHAT AND ELVANDER SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO KFLU KSTH ECON PREL SOCI WHO JA SUBJECT: AVIAN INFLUENZA: JAPAN WEEKLY REPORT FEBRUARY 16 REF: A. 05 STATE 153802 ¶B. TOKYO 729 AND PREVIOUS TOKYO 00000850 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. No human outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza (AI) were reported in Japan during the past week. Consulate-General Sapporo contributed to this week's AI report. -- Chugai Planning Domestic Production of Tamiflu -- ¶2. The Chugai Pharmaceutical Company has finalized plans to produce the antiviral drug Tamiflu in Japan, which it currently imports from its Swiss parent Roche AG, according to company sources. The company will build new production lines at its plant in Fujieda, Shizuoka Prefecture, with the aim of beginning to supply the market in about three years. Chugai decided that domestic production would help ensure a stable supply of the drug in case of a possible pandemic outbreak. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) also asked Chugai to work towards domestic production. The company will initially produce the liquid formulation of Tamiflu, which is designed for pediatric treatment. Chugai plans to look at whether domestic production of the capsule form of Tamiflu is also possible after examining the profitability of the liquid formulation. -- Crazy with the Flu? -- ¶3. A Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare study group will investigate the frequency of children infected by influenza displaying abnormal behaviors, consciousness disorders, and convulsions. The group led by Professor Shunpei Yokota of Yokohama City University will also discuss the side effects of Tamiflu, which some have alleged causes abnormal behaviors and even death in individuals taking the drug. -- Influenza Preparations in Hokkaido -- ¶4. On December 13, 2005, the Hokkaido government organized a meeting on measures to manage the risk associated with infectious diseases. Hokkaido government representatives met with medical associations and institutions and central government delegates. The purpose of the meeting was to exchange information and arrive at a common understanding of the risks associated with avian Influenza and other new types of influenza. The attendees also discussed possible countermeasures and required procedures. They decided to develop a countermeasure action plan by the end of 2005. This plan was approved at a subsequent meeting on December ¶26. The plan is now posted on the Hokkaido Government Department of Health & Welfare web page. ¶5. Sapporo, the northern island's largest city and capital, does not yet have a designated hospital that has negative pressure rooms to isolate pandemic influenza patients. The closest hospital is located in Fukagawa, approximately 1.5 hours away from the city. There are a total of six designated hospitals throughout Hokkaido that have negative pressure rooms. According to Mr. Yamaguchi of the Disease Control Division of the Hokkaido Government, the City of Sapporo plans to establish several negative pressure rooms at the Sapporo Municipal Hospital by 2007. The Sapporo Medical University hospital currently has negative pressure rooms normally reserved for tuberculosis treatment, and the city is now negotiating with the hospital to be able to use these rooms in case of pandemic influenza outbreak. ¶6. The website of the Hokkaido Department of Health and Welfare has information available to the general public explaining the novel types of influenza and the above- mentioned action plan. Though information is only available in Japanese, local officials plan to translate this information into English, Chinese and possibly Korean, to provide information to the island's foreign residents. -- Embassy Outreach -- ¶7. On February 13, the Tokyo American Center held a program TOKYO 00000850 002.2 OF 002 entitled "Preparing for and Coping with a Pandemic: The Avian Flu Threat" that featured the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Homeland Security Program director David Heyman. ESToff provided USG commentary and updated an audience of more than forty government officials including from MHLW and the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) on the current status of the United States' Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza. A lively discussion followed that touched on a variety of issues including exit strategies for pandemic plans, the importance of containment strategies, and the need for transparency in reporting AI outbreaks. Dr. Nobuhiko Okabe, Director of NIID's Infectious Diseases Surveillance Center, who played the role of moderator during the program, explained to the audience that it is important for Japan to step-up its efforts in preparing for a possible pandemic by including a broad spectrum of society members in the planning. SCHIEFFER