H1N1 Update: 29,907 Confirmed Cases; 4 New H1N1

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BERLIN 001389 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: H1N1 Update: 29,907 Confirmed Cases; 4 New H1N1 Deaths Reported in Week REF: Berlin 1304 and previous ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: From October 21-29, the number of confirmed H1N1 infections in Germany rose by 3,075 to a total of 29,907 cases. Four more H1N1 deaths have been reported for a total of 6 deaths in Germany. In an October 26 meeting, the Vice President of the Robert Koch Institute stated that we are at the beginning of a second wave of infection, which will continue as the flu season progresses. Following an October 28 Pandemic Influenza Working Group meeting, Mission Germany remains at tripwire two, which indicates clusters of infection with only localized human-to-human transmission. END SUMMARY ¶2. (U) On November 2, the National Reference Center for Influenza at the Robert Koch Institute confirmed a total of 3,075 new (laboratory and non-laboratory) H1N1 cases in Germany over the period October 21-29, increasing the total number of H1N1 cases to 29,907. Bavaria (bordering the Czech Republic and Austria) is now the German state with the highest number of confirmed virus cases with a total of 7,477, followed by Nordrhein-Westfalen (6,991) and Baden-Wuerttemberg (4,192). Four Deaths Reported -------------- ¶3. (U) Four additional H1N1 deaths have been reported since October 23. A 65-year old man from Mannheim (Baden- Wuerttemberg) died on October 23. He was considered to be a "risk patient" and had multiple underlying health conditions. Three deaths occurred on October 30. A five year old boy suffering from pneumonia died in Neuenkirchen (Saarland). A 16-year old severely-disabled patient died in Augsburg (Bavaria). A 48-year old woman with asthma and liver disease died in Bonn (Nordrhein-Westfalen). This brings the total number of H1N1 deaths in Germany to six. RKI VP Predicts Start of Second Wave of Infection -------------- -------------- ¶4. (U) In an October 26 meeting, the Vice President of the Robert Koch Institute told us that he expects a rapid increase in H1N1 infections as the flu season continues through January. He attributed Germany's remarkably few H1N1 deaths to its aggressive program of early detection, treatment and isolation of patients. He was also clearly frustrated about the local controversy over the decision to use different H1N1 vaccines for certain German government officials/the German military and the German public, blaming an incompetent procurement strategy and a bad communication plan for this needless distraction. He stressed that the local vaccine is safe. Pandemic Influenza Working Group Meeting -------------- ¶5. (U) A core group of Mission Germany's Pandemic Influenza Working Group (PIWG) met on October 28 to review the current H1N1 situation in Germany. Mission Germany remains at tripwire two, which indicates clusters of infection with only localized human-to-human transmission. All sections continue to implement the Department's recommended preparations for a potential increase in cases this fall. The Health Unit hopes to receive H1N1 vaccine from Washington in late November or December. The Consular Section has printed and is posting signs in German and English to encourage sick customers to stay home. These same signs will be soon be posted at all visitor entrances adjacent to local guard screening areas. The Management Section confirmed that additional FOBs are available. These would allow more Mission Staff to work from home if infections increase as predicted, but will only be distributed with clearance from the EAC. BERLIN 00001389 002 OF 002 DELAWIE