UNCLAS BRUSSELS 000700

SIPDIS

STATE FOR H1N1 MONITORING GROUP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR KFLU ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL
PINR, AMGT, BE
SUBJECT: MGSF01: BELGIUM: THREE MORE POSITIVE TESTS BRING
TOTAL PROVED H1N1 CASES TO FIVE

REF: BRUSSELS 694


1. Belgium now has five confirmed cases of H1N1, with
Belgian health authorities announcing cases three and four
late on Friday, May 15, and a fifth case on May 16. All
three individuals had had close contact with a male who had
recently returned to Belgium from New York. Health
authorities have quarantined all five patients at Brussels'
Saint Pierre University Hospital. Authorities also reported
eight negative test results for H1N1 n May 17.


2. The Government's Interministerial Influenza Commission
(IIC) disclosed in May 15 and 16 press communiques that three
new cases had been discovered, with all three having had
close contact with a Belgian who had stated to feel ill
after having returned from a trip to New York. The three
were transferre to Brussels' Saint Pierre hospital, the
country's primary designated hospital to deal with H1N1, and
along with the first two patients, are receiving treatment
and expected to make a full recovery.

BUSH
.