TFFLU01: H1N1 INFLUENZA OUTBREAK - CHINA SITREP # 12

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 -------------- -------------- -------------- ¶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 -------------- -------------- -------------- ¶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 -------------- -------------- ¶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 -------------- -------------- ¶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