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