Mission Germany Pandemic Influenza Working Group

UNCLAS BERLIN 001200 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/CE PETER SCHROEDER STATE FOR OES/IHB STATE FOR AID/GH/HIDN USDA PASS TO APHIS HHS PASS TO CDC HHS FOR OGHA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO KFLU ECON PREL SOCI CASC GM SUBJECT: Mission Germany Pandemic Influenza Working Group Meeting Readout REF: A) Berlin 495, B) Berlin 738 C) Berlin 1163 and previous. ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Following a September 18 meeting of Mission Germany's Pandemic Influenza Working Group (PIWG),Mission Germany remains under tripwire two. A core group of PIWG members will begin meeting biweekly as we head into the flu season. END SUMMARY ¶2. (U) Mission Germany's Pandemic Influenza Working Group (PIWG) met by DVC September 18. The primary task was to update members on the current situation in Germany and to review the adequacy of local tripwires. Mission Germany remains under tripwire two, which indicates clusters of infection with only localized human-to-human transmission. The H1N1 virus in Germany has not demonstrated high lethality or caused widespread illness and absenteeism, as described in tripwire three. A core group of PIWG members will begin meeting every other week. ¶3. (SBU) Mission Health Unit confirmed adequate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE),including gloves and masks. Health Unit plans to vaccinate high risk groups first and then all direct hire Americans, as the supply of the H1N1 vaccine permits. LES will be encouraged to be vaccinated on the local economy. The Health Unit is in contact with local schools used by the Mission community and will be notified if positive cases develop. ¶4. (SBU) Management emphasized the importance of cross training all staff before the flu season begins, in case absenteeism increases. RSO confirmed that guards have PPE and are trained to identify visitors with flu-like symptoms. Signs will be posted in Consular sections to discourage sick customers from entering the section and to publicize rescheduling procedures. ¶5. (SBU) Consulates Frankfurt, Munich, and Hamburg reported no new cases in international schools. Frankfurt schools have disseminated school emergency plans to all families. Hamburg noted that some preparations are already in place for a potential increase in H1N1 cases due to cross-training and widespread use of FOBs and Blackberries. MURPHY