MGSF01: BELGIUM: SWINE FLU: INITIAL SEVEN

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 000609 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SWINE FLU MONITORING GROUP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR, AMGT, MG, BE SUBJECT: MGSF01: BELGIUM: SWINE FLU: INITIAL SEVEN SUSPECTED CASES TEST NEGATIVE; TRAVEL TO AFFECTED AREAS IN U.S. AND MEXICO DISCOURAGED REF: A. A) STATE 42349 ¶B. B) STATE 41745 Summary -------------- ¶1. (U) Belgian authorities reported April 28 that seven suspected cases of swine flu (H1N1) in Belgium tested negative. Belgium is advising travelers to avoid visiting areas in Mexico and the United States that have been affected by H1N1. Travelers arriving at Brussels' Zaventem International Airport as of the morning of April 28 are receiving a printed health notice that advises travelers returning from countries having cases of H1N1 to be vigilant if they show certain flu symptoms within seven (7) days. The Government of Belgium (GOB) is providing information to the public on its website, www.influenza.be, where there is a separate section on swine flu, which is being referred to as "Mexican flu." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website (www.diplomatie.be) lists the latest traveler advisories for the United States and Mexico, and discourages travelers from visiting areas in both countries where there have been reported cases of H1N1. The Belgian Interministerial Influenza Commission has a toll-free phone number and public website giving information on H1N1. End summary. Belgian Cases Test Negative ¶2. (U) Press reports on April 28 said that six suspected cases found in Belgium for the swine flu had tested negative. Econoff spoke late afternoon April 28 with a representative at the Influenza Information Number ((32) (0) 800 99 777, currently available from Monday-Friday 0900-1700, toll-free within Belgium) and was told that a total of seven suspected cases have been noted in Belgium, all testing negative. There have been no/no positive tests to date. Belgium Suggests Travelers Avoid "Risk Zones" Of Known Cases of "Mexican" Flu ¶3. (U) The website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, www.diplomatie.be, has begun advising travelers to the United States and Mexico to avoid travel to areas where cases of H1N1 have tested positive. In the United States, econoff was told by the Influenza Information representative April 28 that the advice covers California, Ohio, New York, Kansas and Texas. ¶4. (U) Travelers arriving at Brussels' Zaventem airport are now receiving printed notices in French, Dutch, German (Belgium's three official languages) and English, advising travelers returning from a country where H1N1 cases have been registered to be vigilant to possible symptoms and to contact their private doctor if they show any symptoms of fever, painful muscles/joints or headache, cough, diarrhea/vomiting. The information on the notices is also available on the Zaventem airport website, www.brusselsairport.be. Tri-Mission Meeting to Discuss Tripwires ¶5. (U) Members representing the tri-Missions of Brussels met the afternoon of April 28 to discuss tripwires for Belgium and agreed to review post's pandemic influenza tripwires and meet again on May 4, 2009. BUSH .