BRUNEI H1N1 CASES GROW DRAMATICALLY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 000165 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 H1N1 CASES GROW DRAMATICALLY SUMMARY ¶1. (SBU) Brunei's confirmed H1N1 case load grows dramatically each day. Total confirmed cases have surpassed 270. To date there has been one death attributed to H1N1, but the young patient had numerous pre-existing health conditions. Over 850 close contact persons have been quarantined, including a transiting American citizen. The Government of Brunei (GoB) is adopting a primarily containment focused strategy, but given the exponential rise in the number of reported cases, a switch to a mitigation strategy is likely in the coming weeks. Brunei's Ministry of Health (MoH) has said publicly that H1N1 is "here to stay for some time" and continues to promote an active public health campaign. The Sultan of Brunei authorized the postponement of all major celebrations in honor of his birthday on July 15th. Bruneians, for the most part, have taken the health warnings to heart and not let H1N1 overwhelm daily routines and activities. End Summary. BRUNEI'S GROWING H1N1 CASELOAD -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Brunei's confirmed H1N1 caseload continues to grow by approximately 20-30 cases daily, although the confirmed daily case load has dropped over the last few days. The current total has surpassed 270. There are reports that public facilities are over-crowded with those seeking treatment and/or under quarantine. To date, only one death has been reported. A 12 year old girl with a number of pre existing medical conditions passed away and her death was attributed to H1N1. Case load growth has been attributed to a number of causes that include: return of students from holidays, lax visitor control at hospitals for those visiting early quarantine cases, increase public awareness, and stricter reporting requirements. Over 850 persons have been quarantined and treated, many for being in close contact with those earlier confirmed as suffering from H1N1. At least half are reported as having completed treatment and have been released. One American citizen transiting Brunei was briefly quarantined after presenting at Brunei's international airport with a high fever. He was released the next day and allowed to continue his travels. PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The MoH has stepped up its public awareness campaign and screening procedures at airports and schools. All schools in Brunei were closed for a week in an attempt to stem the spread of H1N1. Schools are also screening students daily. However, the results have been mixed as confirmed cases spiked immediately after schools were reopened. The television, radio, and papers are filled with updates and warnings regarding H1N1. Banks, restaurants, hotels, and other businesses are required by the MoH to follow strict guidelines, including the usage of masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) SULTAN'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION POSTPONED -------------- 4 (SBU) The Sultan of Brunei's birthday is a nation-wide, multi-week celebration in Brunei. The Sultan chose to postpone all events and celebrations related to his birthday due to H1N1 concerns. Due to the large number of Bruneians who both participate and watch the various celebrations in honor of the Sultan's birthday, Bruneian officials were concerned about a greatly increased H1N1 case load. COMMENT -------------- ¶4. (SBU) On the whole, Brunei has been relatively calm regarding the rapid increase in H1N1 cases. While mask and hand sanitizer sales have greatly increased, along with some profiteering, there have not been any signs of a public wide panic. The postponement of the BANDAR SER 00000165 002 OF 002 Sultan's birthday celebrations and other public events has been viewed as necessary steps and a sign that H1N1 is taken seriously by all level of the GoB. Brunei's high per capita caseload has been a cause for concern, but the dropping daily reported case load may indicate the infection rate has peaked. There continue to be no reported H1N1 cases amongst American citizens in Brunei and Embassy staff. MCINTYRE