AVIAN INFLUENZA: JAPAN WEEKLY REPORT APRIL 13

UNCLAS TOKYO 001644 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AIAG AMBASSADOR LANGE DEPT FOR OES/IHA COMELLA DEPT FOR EAP/J USDA PASS TO APHIS HHS PASS TO CDC HHS FOR OGHA STEIGER AND BHAT DEPT PASS TO AID/GH/HIDN DENNIS CARROLL SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO KFLU KSTH ECON PREL SOCI CASC JA SUBJECT: AVIAN INFLUENZA: JAPAN WEEKLY REPORT APRIL 13 REF: A. 05 STATE 153802 ¶B. TOKYO 1286 AND PREVIOUS ¶C. TOKYO 489 ¶1. No human outbreaks of H5N1 AI were reported in Japan during the period from March 22 to April 13. -- Drill on Tamiflu distribution for ASEAN countries -- ¶2. On April 2 and 3, the GOJ, WHO and the ASEAN Secretariat conducted an exercise on swiftly delivering stockpiled personal protective equipment and antiviral drugs provided from Japan to ASEAN countries. The drill assumed a scenario in which pandemic influenza had broken out in Cambodia, and a simulation was carried out to see whether stockpiles held in Singapore could be delivered promptly. -- New quick test method has been developed to detect SARS and influenza - ¶3. A research team of Tokyo University's Institute of Medical Science, led by Professor Aikichi Iwamoto and working in cooperation with Eiken Chemical Company,has developed a new method to diagnose multiple infectious diseases, including SARS and influenza, in just 1-2 hours. In addition to SARS and influenza, the new test is effective for more than six types of viruses. A primer is added to a portion of a patient sample, such as phlegm, along with synthetic enzymes and other substances. The genes of a virus contained in the samples are amplified using Eiken's LAMP (Loop-mediated isothermal amplification) method. The test sample for a particular virus emits light if it contains genes of that virus. The research team aims to commercialize the procedure in about two years. -- MHLW released guidelines for pandemic influenza- ¶4. On March 26, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) released guidelines on measures to be taken in the event of an outbreak of human-to-human pandemic influenza (PI) after discussion by an advisory panel which considered comments from the public. See Tokyo 00489 for the draft. The guidelines stipulate the groups that have highest priority in receiving limited vaccinations: 1) officials working in medical institutions such as nurses and doctors, and 2) officials who support social infrastructures including public security, lifelines, information providers and transportation. In mid of March, MHLW decided not to give Tamiflu to teenagers because of concerns of possible abnormal behavior resulting from the drug's use. However, the advisory panel has confirmed that the GOJ will continue to stockpile Tamiflu and use it for preventive purposes and as an antiviral drug to control PI. The guidelines also mention that blocking off areas affected by PI is not always possible. Therefore, restrictions on movement to affected areas will be decided based on the particular nature of the virus' spread. The guidelines request individuals to prepare their households by stockpiling food, drugs, and other daily necessities. In the event of a PI outbreak, telephone consultation centers will be established at local health stations to provide consultation by phone to people who have concerns about their physical condition. This will discourage people from unnecessary contact with those infected with PI at local hospitals. The MHLW distributed the guidelines to local governments and have published them on their public website. DONOVAN