ANTANANARIVO POST AND COUNTRY READINESS FOR

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000330


DEPT FOR AF/E - BEYZEROV

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMED ASEC MA PGOV KFLU
SUBJECT: ANTANANARIVO POST AND COUNTRY READINESS FOR
COMBATING H1N1

REF: A. (A) 09 STATE 41745

B. (B) 09 STATE 6306


1. (SBU) There are no known cases of an H1N1 infection in
Madagascar to date. The Government of Madagascar (GOM) along
with the WHO plans to meet May 6-8 to revise and adapt the
Avian Influenza pandemic response plan to address the current
situation. The Director of Emergencies and Disease Control
(DULM) states all public health centers have received updates
on diagnosis and treatment regimes.


2. (SBU) Political turmoil in Madagascar adversely affects an
already poor local health care system. Personal protective
equipment (PPE) are often not utilized and medications, when
available often come from unreliable sources. Some hospitals
have not been reimbursed by the GOM over the past few months.
Confirmation testing for H1N1 in country will reside with the
Institut Pasteur utilizing the CDC rRT-PCR kit due for
arrival in about a week. Adequate Post medical supplies
including anti-virals and PPE are in place. Post contingency
planning does not include the use of local hospitals except
for life-threatening conditions.


3. (SBU) Post is under ordered departure status at this time.
The EAC concurs trip wire two as per 2009 guidance on
pandemic influenza has been met. Activities are ongoing with
education and contingency planning being discussed with all
Post personnel. Airline services have largely gone
uninterrupted throughout the political crisis. On May 6, Post
will host a town hall meeting to update the American
community on the current political situation and provide
information on the H1N1 situation. Finally, the EAC will meet
again in two weeks or as developments warrant.


MARQUARDT