BRUNEI REPORTS FIRST H1N1 CASES

UNCLAS BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 000139 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: BRUNEI REPORTS FIRST H1N1 CASES SUMMARY ¶1. (SBU) Brunei's Ministry of Health (MoH) reported two confirmed H1N1 cases in Brunei. Both cases are students who had returned from Singapore and London, respectively. Two Bruneians, who were traveling in Saudi Arabia, were also reported as confirmed cases. The Government continues to issue warnings regarding travel to countries with confirmed cases, however this does not appear to be causing travel cancellations on a wide spread scale. Seasonal flu, Influenza A, is also spreading in Brunei. There is confusion regarding the use of the seasonal flu vaccine to treat H1N1. Additional screenings at ports of entry for all incoming passengers is likely as well as stricter quarantine protocols. End Summary. BRUNEI'S FIRST H1N1 CASES -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Brunei's first domestic H1N1 cases were reported by Brunei's Ministry of Health (MoH). A nineteen year old student and a sixteen year old student were the first confirmed cases of H1N1. The nineteen year old had returned from London where he was on summer holidays. MoH reported that fellow passengers on his Royal Brunei Airlines flight would not be tested as there was a low risk of infection as he was not symptomatic on the flight. The sixteen year old was returning from Singapore and did not develop any symptoms until a few days after her return. MoH officials decided not to test fellow passengers on her return flight. At this time, both students are reported in good condition and are in quarantine at local hospitals. Last week, two Bruneians had been reported as confirmed H1N1 cases in Saudi Arabia. Both had since been released from the hospital and have been allowed to continue their trip. PUBLIC HEALTH -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The MoH continues to advise the Bruneian public not to travel to affected countries. However, there have been numerous press stories reporting that travel plans have not/not been delayed or cancelled. In addition, the Government of Brunei (GoB) continues to send its officials for international conferences and meetings. These include meetings in the United States. MoH officials plan to purchase H1N1 vaccines for treatment of up to twenty percent of the population. However, with the spread of the seasonal flu strain, there is confusion regarding the usage of the seasonal flu vaccine to "treat" H1N1 patients. MoH officials have noted publicly that the season flu vaccine is not a treatment or inoculation against the H1N1 flu strain. COMMENT -------------- ¶4. (SBU) To date, Brunei had been fortunate to have no H1N1 cases. However, the real test will be the MoH and overall public reactions and responses to the confirmed cases. There has been speculation of additional quarantines, especially at local medical centers, for those who show any flu like symptoms. Additional airport screenings are proposed, but MoH has limited staff it can dedicate to this effort. Fortunately, no embassy personnel or American Citizens in Brunei have reported as H1N1 flu cases. TODD