Guangzhou - Avian Influenza Pandemic Planning

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GUANGZHOU 000512 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/CM, CA/OCS/ACS/EAP STATE FOR AIAG, OES/IHA, M/PRI, M/MED BEIJING FOR HHS HEALTH ATTACHE AND RMO PHNOM PENH FOR CDC INFLUENZA COORDINATOR VIENTIANE FOR CDC INFLUENZA COORDINATOR BANGKOK FOR RMO, CDC, USAID CDC FOR OGHA AND DIV-FLU HHS PASS TO FIC/NIH DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FOR OSD/ISA/AP C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - REMOVE SENSITIVE CAPTION E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO AMED AMGT CASC EAGR PINR KFLU CH SUBJECT: Guangzhou - Avian Influenza Pandemic Planning REF: STATE 67936 GUANGZHOU 00000512 001.4 OF 002 ¶1. (U) Summary: Consulate General Guangzhou has reviewed pandemic preparedness efforts based on guidance issued by the Department (reftel). Post's Emergency Action Committee meets regularly and reviews tripwires annually or as often as necessary if circumstances warrant. Employees are strongly encouraged to maintain six-weeks worth of stay-in-place food and water supplies; post has also stocked emergency non-perishable food and medical supplies. American Citizens Services efforts to keep the local American community informed include handouts to all passport services customers, regularly updated information on post's website, online discussions and programs targeting the American school and U.S. businesses. End summary. -------------- Continuity of Operations -------------- ¶2. (U) Pandemic planning is coordinated and reviewed by post's Emergency Action Committee (EAC). The Consul General has designated the Consular Section Chief as the EAC Chair and Post's Emergency Preparedness Officer. The EAC consists of representatives from each section and agency at Consulate General Guangzhou. ¶3. (U) The EAC regularly holds emergency planning meetings and schedules avian influenza-specific meetings as needed. The EAC also annually reviews and assesses post tripwires and responses (or more frequently if circumstances warrant),and then updates the Emergency Action Plan (EAP). Post's tripwires were last reviewed on June 14, ¶2008. ¶4. (U) On July 15, EAC members participated in post's annual Crisis Management Exercise (CME),with a scenario based on an avian influenza outbreak. On August 12, a follow-up meeting was held to review CME lessons-learned. -------------- Cross-training Employees -------------- ¶5. (U) Post introduces pandemic planning to each employee upon arrival during the RSO in-brief. To further increase preparedness in the Consulate community, post will hold a townhall meeting September 2008 to disseminate information on avian influenza and other related health concerns, post's pandemic planning and advice on establishing a household contingency plan. Post will also produce and distribute a pamphlet containing key emergency information specific to pandemics. -------------- Post Supplies -------------- ¶6. (U) Guangzhou's local water supply is not potable. Post maintains a limited supply of bottled water in-house. In addition, the Consulate has access to neighboring White Swan Hotel's water tank. Post maintains a limited supply of emergency, non-perishable food in case sheltering-in-place is required. However, we emphasize employee responsibility during a potential pandemic and the RSO strongly encourages employees to maintain at least six weeks-worth of stay-in-place food and water supplies per household. Post does not stockpile fuel. GUANGZHOU 00000512 002.4 OF 002 ¶7. (U) Post maintains fully stocked medical supplies at its Shamian Island location. Additional supplies are available at Post's China Hotel annex. Post has the following supplies on hand: -- N-95 masks -- Sterile and non-sterile gloves -- Anti-viral medication (Tamiflu) -- Germicidal hand rinse -------------- Communication - American Citizen Awareness -------------- ¶8. (U) Maintaining an efficient and effective line of communication with Americans is a high priority. Post makes every effort to keep U.S. citizens in south China abreast of ways in which they as individuals can prepare for a pandemic situation. All passports that are handled in American Citizens Services (ACS) receive avian influenza informational inserts. Basic information including warden messages, avian influenza virus and health information, and relevant resources, such as www.pandemicflu.gov, are located on Consulate General Guangzhou's website: http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn. On August 18, Post hosted an online webchat addressing the topic of 'Emergency Preparedness,' which enabled Americans and local Chinese to submit real-time questions about how to safeguard themselves during a pandemic situation. In addition to Post's online initiatives, citizens may also refer to the local health agencies and reputable local media outlets for up-to-date information. ¶9. (U) Consular Affairs conducts outreach programs specifically targeting the American School's administrators and parents; this includes on-site information booths. Post RSO conducts briefings for the local U.S. business community as part of the Overseas Security Advisory Council's (OSAC) programming. ¶10. (U) As 'ground-zero' for H5N1 avian influenza and other infectious disease outbreaks, post appreciates the Department's emphasis on pandemic planning. Guangzhou will continue to enhance post preparedness and community awareness, as well as strengthen cooperation with local government and health officials. ¶11. (U) Post Infectious Disease Officer, Contact Information: Ashley Brady, Economic Officer, TED 08/2009. Work phone: 86 (20) 8121-8000, ext. 5795; Fax: 86 (20) 8121-9001; Cell phone: 86 138-0296-2392; Home phone: 86 (20) 8121-5702; Email: BradyAL@state.gov. GOLDBERG