UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001317

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 # 12

REF: A) BEIJING 1298 B) HONG KONG 887 C) BEIJING 1283 D) BEIJING
1274 E) BEIJING 1264 F) TOKYO 1072 G) HONG KONG 802


CHINESE PRESS CRITICAL OF UNITED STATES RESPONSE TO H1N1
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1. (SBU) Mainland Chinese newspapers (both Chinese and
English-language publications) have criticized U.S. government
response to the H1N1 outbreak, blaming the "low-key approach" of the
government and media for what it sees as ineffective prevention
measures against the spread of the virus. The press also faults the
U.S. public as "indifferent to the danger" and urges the United
States to take much stronger measures in controlling its borders to
prevent the spread of H1N1 to other countries. (Note: Hong Kong also
saw accusations of weak U.S. response in the press after a second
H1N1 case was confirmed in Hong Kong on May 13. See REF B. End
note.)


TWO CONFIRMED CASES OF H1N1 CASES ON MAINLAND CHINA
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2. (SBU) As of COB May 15, the number of confirmed H1N1 cases on
Mainland China remains unchanged at two (REF C and E). Hong Kong
also has two confirmed cases of H1N1, the first confirmed on May 1
(REF F), and a second case confirmed on May 13 (REF B).


STATUS OF AMCIT QUARANTINE CASES
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3. (SBU) As of May 15, 85 American citizens are reported to be in
quarantine throughout China - 50 are currently quarantined in
Beijing and 35 are quarantined in twelve other provinces and
municipalities across China. Of these, 62 were passengers on the May
8 NW029 flight from Tokyo to Beijing with China's first confirmed
case of H1N1.

--Of the 50 AmCits quarantined in Beijing, 40 are being quarantined
at the Guomen Hotel, 7 are being quarantined at the Jinglin Hotel, 2
are under observation at Ditan Hospital, and one is under home
quarantine. Twelve of the seventeen AmCits are quarantined in
Shandong, Gansu, Shaanxi, Hebei, Henan and Hubei provinces (in
Beijing's Consular district) were also on the May 8 NW029 flight
from Tokyo to Beijing. If the AmCits who were on the May 8 NW029
flight remain asymptomatic, they should be released on May 16.

--There are now eleven AmCits in quarantine in the Shanghai Consular
District. Five of these were on board NW025 from Detroit to Tokyo
(Narita) on May 8 with the four confirmed H1N1-infected Japanese
passengers (who remain in Japan (REF F). Four AmCits were placed
into quarantine on May 15 after arriving that day on flight VS250
from the United Kingdom where they sat in close proximity to a
passenger who exhibited a high temperature. Another AmCit was
quarantined upon arrival on May 14 because he had transited Mexico
on May 12, before flying to Shanghai via the United States. Post was
notified on May 15 of one AmCit who has been in quarantine in Suzhou
(Jiangsu Province) since May 8, who is due to be released later in
the day.

--Five AmCits are in quarantine in the Guangzhou Consular District,
including four in Guangdong who were on the May 8 NW029 flight and
one in Changle (Fujian Province).

--Two AmCits remain in quarantine in Kunming (Yunnan Province).


ADOPTING PARENTS ADVISED TO POSTONE TRAVELS
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4. (SBU) ConGen Guangzhou has received reports that several

BEIJING 00001317 002 OF 002


provinces have asked adopting parents to postpone travel to China to
complete their adoptions. One large U.S. adoption agency has
confirmed that they have asked prospective adopting parents to delay
travel for at least a week before they reassess the situation.


PICCUTA