TFFLU01: H1N1 INFLUENZA OUTBREAK - CHINA SITREP # 7

UNCLAS BEIJING 001245 HHS FOR OGHA CDC ATLANTA FOR CCID, AND PASS TO FLU COX AND MOUNTS AND COGH BLOUNT AND KELLEY SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR AMGT, MG, EAGR, HHS, TF, CH SUBJECT: TFFLU01: H1N1 INFLUENZA OUTBREAK - CHINA SITREP # 7 REF: A) BEIJING 1224 B) BEIJING 1218 C) BEIJING 1210 D) BEIJING 1191 E) BEIJING 1171 F) HONG KONG 802 ONE AMERICAN CITIZEN RELEASED, FIVE STILL IN QUARANTINE -------------- -------------- ¶1. (U) As of COB on May 8 Beijing Time, there are no confirmed cases of infection of humans or livestock by the A/H1N1 influenza virus on Mainland China. One case was confirmed in Hong Kong on May 1 (REF F). ¶2. (SBU) The 20-year old American citizen who had been in quarantine since May 2 was released on May 8. Post received information from the Beijing Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) that two more Americans entered into quarantine this week, one on May 5 and one on May 7. In addition, a family of three Americans remains in quarantine as well (since May 6),bringing the total number currently in quarantine in hospital to five. Embassy Beijing is in touch with all five. --Beijing ACS has confirmed the 20 year-old male who had been in quarantine in Beijing at Ditan Hospital since afternoon of Saturday May 2 was released on May 8. --A family of three American citizens (50 year-old male, 42 year-old female, and 22 month-old child) remains in quarantine at Ditan Hospital. They arrived in Beijing on May 6 on United Airlines 581 from Philadelphia. Beijing ACS has been in daily contact since the family first reported their status on May 7. --Beijing FAO informed Post late on May 7 that a 38-year old male American citizen is in quarantine at Ditan Hospital. According to Beijing FAO, he arrived in Beijing on May 5 and was initially placed into Guomen Hotel for observation. On May 6, he was transferred to Ditan Hospital, where he remains. Beijing ACS is in the process of establishing direct contact with him. --Beijing FAO informed post on May 8 that a 29 year-old American woman is also currently under observation at Guomen Hotel. She arrived in Beijing on May 7 on United 851 from Chicago and was initially taken to Ditan Hospital before being transferred to the hotel on May 8. Beijing ACS has been in direct contact with her. ¶3. (SBU) In the course of making routine inquiries about the status of American citizens in quarantine on May 8, Ditan Hospital officials informed Beijing ACS that they would no longer provide information directly to the Embassy. All future inquiries must now be directed to the Beijing FAO. GOVERNMENT RESPONSE -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Outbreak-associated H1N1 test kits and viral isolates from U.S. CDC were delayed earlier in the week and are currently en route. ¶5. (SBU) Beijing Consul General met with the CUI Aimin, Counselor for the Consular Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 7. Cui assured her that China's visa policy "has not changed" and was not "targeted" toward American citizens. Cui also indicated that requests for expedited processing in some cases would still be accepted. PICCUTA