UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 BEIJING 001171
HHS FOR OGHA
CDC ATLANTA FOR CCID, AND PASS TO FLU COX AND MOUNTS AND COGH BLOUNT
AND KELLY
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR
AMGT, MG, EAGR, HHS, CH
SUBJECT: MGSF01 H1N1 INFLUENZA OUTBREAK - CHINA SITREP # 2
REF: A) BEIJING 1135 B) BEIJING 1132
C) STATE 42349 D) STATE 41768
(SBU) SUMMARY: On April 28, both President HU Jintao and Premier
WEN Jiabao made highly-publicized statements, ordering "stepped up"
quarantine and inspection measures and "enhanced prevention and
control" procedures, as well as emphasizing the need for
transparency at all levels of government. The World Health
Organization (WHO) raised the pandemic alert status to Phase five on
April 29. The Government of China will observe a national holiday
on Friday (May 1). As of the time of this report, there are no
confirmed cases of infection by the H1N1 influenza A virus in humans
or livestock. Throughout the country, however, entry processing and
screening procedures at airports and other large facilities continue
to be strengthened, and Beijing and other cities have designated
specific hospitals to deal with suspected H1N1 infections. Media
reporting has been fairly straightforward with a focus on government
actions and positive cooperation with other countries. Articles on
front page of Chinese dailies however, also indicated official
Chinese concern over reports that the virus had originated in China.
On April 29, Embassy Beijing convened an influenza outbreak
sub-group of the Emergency Action Committee (EAC) and hosted a
planning digital video conference (DVC) with Consulates in
Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Shenyang participating. A warden
message was sent to the American citizens community on April 29 and
the mission websites were revised to reflect updated guidance and
official USG resources. END SUMMARY.