GERMANY H1N1 FLU UPDATE: 11 CONFIRMED CASES

UNCLAS BERLIN 000537 SENSITIVE 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 EAGR MX GM SUBJECT: GERMANY H1N1 FLU UPDATE: 11 CONFIRMED CASES REF: A) Berlin 526, B) Berlin 518, C) Berlin 512, D) Berlin 495, E) Berlin 488 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) confirmed today another case of A/H1N1 Influenza in Germany, increasing the total number of confirmed cases to eleven. One man from Bavaria tested positive for H1N1 after returning from the U.S. with flu-like symptoms. This is the first German traveler that we are aware of to be infected with the new virus in the U.S. Local media coverage of H1N1 has dropped noticeably. END SUMMARY. Sixth Case of H1N1 in Bavaria -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The National Reference Center for Influenza at the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) announced in its morning press briefing May 8 another laboratory-confirmed case of H1N1 for Germany. This increases the total number of confirmed cases in Germany to eleven (Refs B,C,D). ¶3. (SBU) A man from Bavaria tested positive for H1N1 after returning from a trip to the U.S. with flu-like symptoms. Bavarian Health officials report a mild case of the virus. The man is already on the way to recovery. The media reported that all family members have been identified and quarantined as a precautionary measure. There is no information available on whether anyone of them has shown flu symptoms so far. Measures are being taken to identify other people who may have been in contact with him. This is the sixth confirmed case of H1N1 for the federal state of Bavaria (other Bavarian cases reported in Refs C,D,E). First German Infected in the US -------------- ¶4. (SBU) This case marks the first German traveler to be infected with the new virus in the U.S., officials from RKI announced today. No information is currently available on where in the U.S. the man may have been infected with the virus. Eight of the previous ten confirmed cases were in people who had recently returned from Mexico; the other two were passed from a traveler to a nurse and fellow patient that came in contact with him during treatment. Intensity of Coverage -------------- ¶4. (SBU) As reported in Ref B, RKI has announced that the epidemic in Germany is "in a stabilization phase." Post noticed that media coverage has lost its intensity. KOENIG