KYRGYZSTAN: FIRST H1N1 FLU CASES CONFIRMED

UNCLAS BISHKEK 000965 SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN (GORKOWSKI) STATE FOR OES/IHB USDA PASS TO APHIS HHS PASS TO CDC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO KFLU ECON PREL SOCI EAGR AID KG SUBJECT: KYRGYZSTAN: FIRST H1N1 FLU CASES CONFIRMED ¶1. (U) SUMMARY. On August 24, Kyrgyz health authorities confirmed the first cases of H1N1 flu in the country. Two Kyrgyz citizens, who had recently traveled to Dubai, tested positive for the H1N1 virus. U.S. assistance, provided earlier to support Kyrgyzstan's preparedness for possible Avian Influenza, should also help Kyrgyzstan in case of a H1N1 outbreak. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) Dr. Nurmatov, Head of the Epidemiology Department in the Ministry of Health, confirmed to Emboff that two Kyrgyz citizens, a husband and wife who recently traveled to Dubai, tested positive for the H1N1 virus after they were hospitalized with flu symptoms. Nurmatov said that approximately 20 individuals have been tested for the H1N1 virus in Kyrgyzstan and that these were the first and only confirmed cases. ¶3. (U) USG assistance, provided earlier to help prepare Kyrgyz medical and emergency response institutions for a possible Avian Influenza outbreak, should also be useful if there are additional H1N1 flu cases. In 2008, the U.S. provided pandemic flu response training to Kyrgyz officials, as well as personal protection equipment and decontamination and laboratory supplies. Nurmatov also said that the Ministry of Health recently completed a National Pandemic Flu Plan with assistance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization. The plan has been sent to Prime Minister Chudinov's office for his signature. GFOELLER