Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASHGABAT569
2009-05-05 11:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TFFLU01: OFFICIAL TURKMEN REACTION TO INFLUENZA A
how-toVZCZCXRO7063 PP RUEHNEH DE RUEHAH #0569 1251153 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 051153Z MAY 09 ZDF FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2770 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 5162 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2906 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 2771 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 3406 RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 3525
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000569
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB, OES, INFLUENZA TASK FORCE TFFLU01,
USAID (WALLIN)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC AMED CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO
PREL, PINR, AMGT, TF, TX
SUBJECT: TFFLU01: OFFICIAL TURKMEN REACTION TO INFLUENZA A
(H1/N1) PANDEMIC
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000569
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB, OES, INFLUENZA TASK FORCE TFFLU01,
USAID (WALLIN)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC AMED CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO
PREL, PINR, AMGT, TF, TX
SUBJECT: TFFLU01: OFFICIAL TURKMEN REACTION TO INFLUENZA A
(H1/N1) PANDEMIC
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (U) Although there have been no reported cases of H1N1 in
Turkmenistan or in the Central Asia region, the government
has taken certain steps in reaction to the influenza A
(H1/N1) scare and has publicized many of these measures in
the official press. On WATAN TV news on May 2, Minister of
Health, Ata Serdarov, described the steps being taken to
raise awareness in the local population on prevention and
spread of the A/H1N1 influenza. At the May 1 Cabinet of
Ministers session, President Berdimuhamedov had instructed
Serdarov to launch a broad information campaign. Sedarov
explained the origin of the virus and symptoms of the
disease. he explained that thermo-scanners would be set up
at Ashgabat international airport and at the airport in
Turkmenbashy to scan all incoming passengers. He said
medical centers had been set up in hotels to check foreign
guests for the disease. Sedarov underscored that there has
been no incidence of H1N1 in Turkmenistan or any of the
neighboring countries, but travelers who go to the United
States, Canada, or European countries should wear face masks
and be careful with the personal hygiene.
3. (U) In a May 4 article entitled, "What is A/H1N1 Virus?"
in the official Russian-language newspaper, "Neytralniy
Turkmenistan," Ministry of Healthcare and Medical Industry
Spokesman, Redzhepmurad Geldyev, answered questions about
transmission, government-led initiatives against the
penetration of the virus in Turkmenistan, preparedness of
authorities to deal with the threat, availability of
additional information about the virus, safety of pork
products, vaccines and medicines, and other preventive
measures.
4. (U) Local employees of Post's Travel and Visitors Unit
said that doctors from the Ministry of Healthcare and Medical
Industry are visiting each room in all hotels around Ashgabat
to take the temperature of hotel guests. Embassy travelers
noticed brochures containing warnings about H1N1 at passport
control windows at Saparmurat Turkmenbashy International
Airport in Ashgabat. The brochures include logos of the
Ministry of Healthcare and Medical Industry and World Health
Organization, and are printed in both Russian and Turkmen.
5. (SBU) COMMENT: While media is tightly controlled and the
government is reluctant to allow reporting on public threats,
including crime, officials realized it was in their interest
to publicize what is being done to prevent H1N1. The vast
majority of Turkmen have access to satellite television and
Russian news. They know about the virus in other countries.
The government no doubt wanted to assure the public that
everything is under control. END COMMENT.
MILES
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB, OES, INFLUENZA TASK FORCE TFFLU01,
USAID (WALLIN)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC AMED CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO
PREL, PINR, AMGT, TF, TX
SUBJECT: TFFLU01: OFFICIAL TURKMEN REACTION TO INFLUENZA A
(H1/N1) PANDEMIC
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (U) Although there have been no reported cases of H1N1 in
Turkmenistan or in the Central Asia region, the government
has taken certain steps in reaction to the influenza A
(H1/N1) scare and has publicized many of these measures in
the official press. On WATAN TV news on May 2, Minister of
Health, Ata Serdarov, described the steps being taken to
raise awareness in the local population on prevention and
spread of the A/H1N1 influenza. At the May 1 Cabinet of
Ministers session, President Berdimuhamedov had instructed
Serdarov to launch a broad information campaign. Sedarov
explained the origin of the virus and symptoms of the
disease. he explained that thermo-scanners would be set up
at Ashgabat international airport and at the airport in
Turkmenbashy to scan all incoming passengers. He said
medical centers had been set up in hotels to check foreign
guests for the disease. Sedarov underscored that there has
been no incidence of H1N1 in Turkmenistan or any of the
neighboring countries, but travelers who go to the United
States, Canada, or European countries should wear face masks
and be careful with the personal hygiene.
3. (U) In a May 4 article entitled, "What is A/H1N1 Virus?"
in the official Russian-language newspaper, "Neytralniy
Turkmenistan," Ministry of Healthcare and Medical Industry
Spokesman, Redzhepmurad Geldyev, answered questions about
transmission, government-led initiatives against the
penetration of the virus in Turkmenistan, preparedness of
authorities to deal with the threat, availability of
additional information about the virus, safety of pork
products, vaccines and medicines, and other preventive
measures.
4. (U) Local employees of Post's Travel and Visitors Unit
said that doctors from the Ministry of Healthcare and Medical
Industry are visiting each room in all hotels around Ashgabat
to take the temperature of hotel guests. Embassy travelers
noticed brochures containing warnings about H1N1 at passport
control windows at Saparmurat Turkmenbashy International
Airport in Ashgabat. The brochures include logos of the
Ministry of Healthcare and Medical Industry and World Health
Organization, and are printed in both Russian and Turkmen.
5. (SBU) COMMENT: While media is tightly controlled and the
government is reluctant to allow reporting on public threats,
including crime, officials realized it was in their interest
to publicize what is being done to prevent H1N1. The vast
majority of Turkmen have access to satellite television and
Russian news. They know about the virus in other countries.
The government no doubt wanted to assure the public that
everything is under control. END COMMENT.
MILES