Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CAIRO1552
2009-08-10 07:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:  

GOE INFLUENZA PLANNING WELL UNDER WAY FOR ANNUAL

Tags:  TBIO KFLU KSTH PGOV EAGR CASC PREL EAID EG 
pdf how-to read a cable
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RUEHTRO
DE RUEHEG #1552 2220705
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 100705Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3381
INFO RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA PRIORITY
UNCLAS CAIRO 001552 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AIAG (AMBASSADOR LOTFIS AND DAVID WINN),NEA/ELA
DEPT PASS TO AID (DENNIS CARROLL)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO KFLU KSTH PGOV EAGR CASC PREL EAID EG
SUBJECT: GOE INFLUENZA PLANNING WELL UNDER WAY FOR ANNUAL
PILGRIMAGES

Sensitive but Unclassified. Please handle accordingly.

UNCLAS CAIRO 001552

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AIAG (AMBASSADOR LOTFIS AND DAVID WINN),NEA/ELA
DEPT PASS TO AID (DENNIS CARROLL)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO KFLU KSTH PGOV EAGR CASC PREL EAID EG
SUBJECT: GOE INFLUENZA PLANNING WELL UNDER WAY FOR ANNUAL
PILGRIMAGES

Sensitive but Unclassified. Please handle accordingly.


1.(SBU) Key Points:

-- A Ministry of Health (MoH) senior official explained GOE plans to
address increasing influenza concerns as it prepares for annual
religious pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia.

--For the first time, MoH is collaborating with the Ministry of
Education (MoE) to lead influenza awareness classes in all Egyptian
public elementary, middle, and high schools.

-------------- ---
WHO WILL BE PREVENTED FROM RELIGIOUS PILGRIMAGES?
-------------- ---


2. (SBU)Egyptian MoH chief spokesperson Dr. Abd-El Rahman Shaheen
told Emboff on August 4 that as a result of increasing influenza
concerns, the GOE will implement new measures this year for its
religious pilgrims. He explained that Egypt is planning to restrict
travel for certain groups of individuals seeking to perform umrah
(minor pilgrimage to Mecca performed at any time of the year) or
hajj.


3. (SBU) According to Shaheen those considered "high-risk" for
travel to Saudi Arabia include pregnant women, children under 12
years old, obese individuals, those with chronic ailments (e.g.
diabetes, hypertension),and adults over 65 years old. This last
category was MoH's biggest concern since many people do not
undertake hajj until their later years and Shaheen worried how
Egypt's elderly population would accept this decision. He noted the
Arab health ministries now await a royal Saudi decree likely to
ratify these recommendations; a decision is expected shortly "any
day now."

--------------
NEW PREVENTION MEASURES INTRODUCED
--------------


4. (SBU),MoH plans to combat influenza are already well under way.
He noted that during umrah and hajj the GOE operates health clinics
for Egyptian citizens in Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah; this year they
will "significantly increase" staffing at those facilities. A doctor
will travel on all umrah flights to monitor the health of Egyptian
travelers. Another new measure involves requiring all individuals to
possess a hospital-issued medical certificate stating they have no
health problems preventing travel to Saudi Arabia. Copies of this
certificate, which Shaheen listed as "tamper-proof", will be kept on
file at issuing hospitals and will likely cost between 250-400 LE
($45-72). Along with a yellow vaccination book traditionally
carried by Egyptian pilgrims, all individuals must present this
certificate at a port of departure. Shaheen also noted that the MoH
plans to quarantine every single returning pilgrim in the event of
an influenza pandemic. Individuals will be taken to hospitals and
clinics across the country.

--------------
MANDATORY INFLUENZA CLASSES TO SWEEP EGYPTIAN SCHOOLS
--------------


5. (SBU) MoH is partnering with the MoE to prepare influenza
awareness classes for all of its public elementary, middle, and high
schools. On the first day of the Egyptian school year, likely to be
September 22 following the day after Eid ul-Fitr marking the end of
Ramadan, students will receive a 45 minute lesson in how to avoid
contracting influenza. Teachers will explain that it is imperative
to wash your hands with soap and water, keep a tidy desk, and
maintain clean bathrooms. Shaheen noted this program could
potentially reach 17 million students in 43,000 schools across the
country.


6. (SBU) Comment: To date, MoH has done a relatively effective job
in treating its influenza patients, especially those infected with
H5N1. Individual human cases, particularly in children, are
identified quickly and promptly treated at area hospitals. The H5N1
fatality rate in Egypt is 32% as compared to the global fatality
rate of 66%. However, it is unclear if the GOE possesses the medical
personnel, logistical capability, and financial resources to
implement all of its new influenza initiatives, especially its
pandemic response plans.

Scobey