TFFLU01: NO H1N1 CASES BUT BRUNEI REMAINING VIGILANT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 000108 SENSITIVE SIPDIS SINGAPORE FOR MED/BROWNL STATE FOR CA/OCS/EAP STATE FOR EAP/MTS/COPPOLAMG STATE FOR S/ES-O/CMS EPARRA STATE FOR M/PRI/MORRITZR STATE FOR OES/AIAG STATE FOR REO/BKK/HOWARDH HHS FOR OGHA CDC ATLANTA FOR CCID AND COGH USDA FOR APHIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC TBIO PREL PINR BX SUBJECT: TFFLU01: NO H1N1 CASES BUT BRUNEI REMAINING VIGILANT REF: BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 99 SUMMARY ¶1. (SBU) There are no confirmed H1N1 cases in Brunei. The Government of Brunei (GoB) remains vigilant and continues an active public health campaign. Quarantines have occurred and the use of thermal scanners and medical questionnaires continue to be in use at air and sea entry points. Hospital and medical clinics screen all incoming patients and visitors. Brunei banned pork imports from a number of countries, including the United States. Ambassador Todd publicly and privately is refuting false claims regarding the links between pork and the H1N1 virus. Embassy staff was briefed by the Regional Medical Officer (RMO) on the H1N1 virus. End Summary. BRUNEI CONTINUES ACTIVE PUBLIC HEALTH CAMPAIGN -------------- -- ¶2. (SBU) Per Reftel, the Government of Brunei (GoB) took a proactive approach in trying to preclude the spread of H1N1 virus. Public health warnings are constant and distributed widely throughout the country. All media outlets are utilized and the Ministry of Health (MoH) created special radio and television ads. The information generally complies with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and recommendations. MoH has also announced an increase in national Tamiflu supplies to over one million tablets. The Minister of Health, Pehin Suyoi Haji Osman, is an active and vocal presence in Brunei's public health campaign. QUARANTINE -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The GoB has shown a willingness to use quarantine to isolated potential carriers of H1N1 virus. As noted in press and post reports, approximately 200 British Marines were placed in quarantine two weeks ago. All were confined at Tutong Hospital's isolation unit for up to three days. The British High Commission also reported that a number of passengers on a flight transiting Brunei were taken off the plane and placed into isolation for a few hours before being released. There have been no/no reports of mistreatment or especially adverse conditions. In addition, there have been no reports of American Citizens being placed into quarantine. Embassy notified American citizens as well as incoming military personnel of the possibility of quarantine. NO PORK -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Brunei banned pork imports from a number of countries, including the United States. The ban remains in effect and the GoB has not given any indications of lifting the ban in the near future. There have been public statements made by some religious and community leaders linking pork directly to the H1N1 virus and suggesting that eating pork can cause infection. Ambassador Todd has publicly and privately refuted these false claims. Brunei's pork market is very small but Embassy will continue to encourage the GoB to lift the ban on U.S. imports. EMBASSY PREPARATION -------------- ¶5. (SBU) As noted in Reftel, Embassy instituted a number of contingency plans. The Regional Medical Officer (RMO) recently hosted a presentation to Embassy staff on H1N1 virus and what precautions can be taken to prevent the spread of the virus. The Embassy remains active with other embassies in Brunei (British, French, Australian, German, and Canadian) in information sharing and contingency planning. COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Brunei's active campaign to prevent spread of H1N1 is commendable. There is a concern that complacency might set in amongst the populace but the GoB is doing what it can to prevent BANDAR SER 00000108 002 OF 002 this. Embassy will continue to be alert to any possible quarantine that might involve American citizens, including military personnel. TODD