Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ABUDHABI432
2009-05-04 13:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
TFFLU01: UAE H1N1 RESPONSE
how-toVZCZCXRO5634 OO RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR DE RUEHAD #0432 1241352 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 041352Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2431 INFO RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 0908 RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000432
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP
AMMAN FOR ESTH HUB (BHALLA)
STATE PLEASE PASS USTR (JBUNTIN, JDOHERTY)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KFLU AEMR ASEC AMED CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO
PREL, PINR, AMGT, TF, AE
SUBJECT: TFFLU01: UAE H1N1 RESPONSE
REFS: A) ABU DHABI
B) STATE 44254
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000432
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP
AMMAN FOR ESTH HUB (BHALLA)
STATE PLEASE PASS USTR (JBUNTIN, JDOHERTY)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KFLU AEMR ASEC AMED CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO
PREL, PINR, AMGT, TF, AE
SUBJECT: TFFLU01: UAE H1N1 RESPONSE
REFS: A) ABU DHABI
B) STATE 44254
1. (SBU) SUMMARY. The UAEG has taken a number of steps to combat the
spread of H1N1 virus to the UAE and reassure the public.
Interagency task forces have been established and are sharing
information about their efforts. Residents are concerned, but with
no confirmed cases in the UAE, remain calm. END SUMMARY.
UAEG EFFORTS
--------------
2. (SBU) Despite active engagement by the FAS Agricultural Trade
Office (ATO),the first public UAEG response to H1N1 influenza was a
General Secretariat of Municipalities (GSM) decision to ban pork
imports on April 27 (reftels). GSM officials will review the ban on
May 5, but there is little indication it will be quickly rescinded.
Minister of Health Humaid Al Qattami has quoted WHO guidance that
H1N1 is not transmitted from eating pork products, and this fact has
also been printed in local newspapers.
3. (SBU) On April 27, Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed
instructed that a Supervisory Committee on Combating H1N1 be created
under the chairmanship of Minister of Health Al Qattami. The
Supervisory Committee includes representatives of the Ministry of
Health, the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, the Department of
Health-Abu Dhabi, Ministry of Water and Environment, and Dubai
Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS). Al Qattami
immediately established a Technical Committee chaired by MOH
Director General (deputy-equivalent) Dr. Ali Shakar. On April 29,
the Technical Committee -- which includes federal and local health
officials -- announced a variety of steps, including the
installation of thermal scanners at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports and
stockpiling of antiviral medications. DOHMS will use its own
assets, rather than federal institutions, to treat any diagnosed
cases or quarantine any suspected cases, e.g. with travelers
entering at Dubai International.
4. (SBU) Minister Al Qattami attended the May 2 Gulf Cooperation
Council ministers of health meeting in Doha. On May 3, the
Ministerial Council for Services, headed by Minister for
Presidential Affairs Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, approved a unified
strategy to address "swine flu." At the meeting, MOH Al Qattami
announced the establishment of a dedicated website with local and
international H1N1 information. While the website does appear to be
launched as of May 4, the Ministry of Health developed an online
newsletter (http://www.moh.gov.ae/en/Swine_Flu_News_Lett er-En.pdf)
that includes UAEG response, relevant links, and FAQs.
PUBLIC REACTION
--------------
5. (SBU) As there have been no reported H1N1 cases in the UAE or
Gulf region, local residents are concerned but not panicked. Local
hospital contacts report that persons are presenting themselves to
emergency rooms with flu symptoms, but none have to date tested
positive for Influenza-A. While basic typing of influenza by nasal
swab is possible at local labs (with results available in two
hours),specific identification of the H1N1 virus requires overseas
testing. Currently, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City -- Abu Dhabi's
principal care point for infectious diseases -- uses a lab in
France, with results available in 24 hours. To date, no cases have
required the secondary overseas testing.
6. (SBU) Local pharmacies report increased demand for Tamiflu and
many are sold out of the drug. The UAE MOH has designated Tamiflu as
a controlled substance, but many pharmacies in Abu Dhabi will
(inappropriately) sell it without a prescription. Pharmacists tell
EmbOffs that all Tamiflu available has an October 2009 expiry date.
MOH officials have stated the drug licensing department is
fast-tracking applications from local manufacturers to increase
available stocks.
7. (SBU) Contacts -- both Emirati and expatriate -- continue to
express concern about the spread of H1N1 influenza in the UAE.
Fears are exacerbated by the fact that UAE citizens and expatriates
(who represent 80 percent of the population) travel often and
millions of passengers transit the UAE, particularly through Dubai.
While some are delaying travel and stocking up on Tamiflu, most
contacts are concerned but not panicked.
GREENE
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP
AMMAN FOR ESTH HUB (BHALLA)
STATE PLEASE PASS USTR (JBUNTIN, JDOHERTY)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KFLU AEMR ASEC AMED CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO
PREL, PINR, AMGT, TF, AE
SUBJECT: TFFLU01: UAE H1N1 RESPONSE
REFS: A) ABU DHABI
B) STATE 44254
1. (SBU) SUMMARY. The UAEG has taken a number of steps to combat the
spread of H1N1 virus to the UAE and reassure the public.
Interagency task forces have been established and are sharing
information about their efforts. Residents are concerned, but with
no confirmed cases in the UAE, remain calm. END SUMMARY.
UAEG EFFORTS
--------------
2. (SBU) Despite active engagement by the FAS Agricultural Trade
Office (ATO),the first public UAEG response to H1N1 influenza was a
General Secretariat of Municipalities (GSM) decision to ban pork
imports on April 27 (reftels). GSM officials will review the ban on
May 5, but there is little indication it will be quickly rescinded.
Minister of Health Humaid Al Qattami has quoted WHO guidance that
H1N1 is not transmitted from eating pork products, and this fact has
also been printed in local newspapers.
3. (SBU) On April 27, Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed
instructed that a Supervisory Committee on Combating H1N1 be created
under the chairmanship of Minister of Health Al Qattami. The
Supervisory Committee includes representatives of the Ministry of
Health, the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, the Department of
Health-Abu Dhabi, Ministry of Water and Environment, and Dubai
Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS). Al Qattami
immediately established a Technical Committee chaired by MOH
Director General (deputy-equivalent) Dr. Ali Shakar. On April 29,
the Technical Committee -- which includes federal and local health
officials -- announced a variety of steps, including the
installation of thermal scanners at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports and
stockpiling of antiviral medications. DOHMS will use its own
assets, rather than federal institutions, to treat any diagnosed
cases or quarantine any suspected cases, e.g. with travelers
entering at Dubai International.
4. (SBU) Minister Al Qattami attended the May 2 Gulf Cooperation
Council ministers of health meeting in Doha. On May 3, the
Ministerial Council for Services, headed by Minister for
Presidential Affairs Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, approved a unified
strategy to address "swine flu." At the meeting, MOH Al Qattami
announced the establishment of a dedicated website with local and
international H1N1 information. While the website does appear to be
launched as of May 4, the Ministry of Health developed an online
newsletter (http://www.moh.gov.ae/en/Swine_Flu_News_Lett er-En.pdf)
that includes UAEG response, relevant links, and FAQs.
PUBLIC REACTION
--------------
5. (SBU) As there have been no reported H1N1 cases in the UAE or
Gulf region, local residents are concerned but not panicked. Local
hospital contacts report that persons are presenting themselves to
emergency rooms with flu symptoms, but none have to date tested
positive for Influenza-A. While basic typing of influenza by nasal
swab is possible at local labs (with results available in two
hours),specific identification of the H1N1 virus requires overseas
testing. Currently, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City -- Abu Dhabi's
principal care point for infectious diseases -- uses a lab in
France, with results available in 24 hours. To date, no cases have
required the secondary overseas testing.
6. (SBU) Local pharmacies report increased demand for Tamiflu and
many are sold out of the drug. The UAE MOH has designated Tamiflu as
a controlled substance, but many pharmacies in Abu Dhabi will
(inappropriately) sell it without a prescription. Pharmacists tell
EmbOffs that all Tamiflu available has an October 2009 expiry date.
MOH officials have stated the drug licensing department is
fast-tracking applications from local manufacturers to increase
available stocks.
7. (SBU) Contacts -- both Emirati and expatriate -- continue to
express concern about the spread of H1N1 influenza in the UAE.
Fears are exacerbated by the fact that UAE citizens and expatriates
(who represent 80 percent of the population) travel often and
millions of passengers transit the UAE, particularly through Dubai.
While some are delaying travel and stocking up on Tamiflu, most
contacts are concerned but not panicked.
GREENE