Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CAIRO2347
2009-12-22 13:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:
EGYPT: DECEMBER 2009 INFLUENZA UPDATE
how-toVZCZCXRO2831 PP RUEHAST RUEHDH RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHPB RUEHPOD RUEHSL RUEHTM RUEHTRO DE RUEHEG #2347 3561328 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 221328Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4519 INFO RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA PRIORITY
UNCLAS CAIRO 002347
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR OES-IHB (CHARLES PATTERSON AND SUSAN BOGGESS),NEA/ELA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO KFLU KSTH PGOV EAGR CASC PREL EAID EG
SUBJECT: EGYPT: DECEMBER 2009 INFLUENZA UPDATE
Ref: Cairo 2103
Sensitive but Unclassified. Please handle accordingly.
UNCLAS CAIRO 002347
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR OES-IHB (CHARLES PATTERSON AND SUSAN BOGGESS),NEA/ELA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO KFLU KSTH PGOV EAGR CASC PREL EAID EG
SUBJECT: EGYPT: DECEMBER 2009 INFLUENZA UPDATE
Ref: Cairo 2103
Sensitive but Unclassified. Please handle accordingly.
1.(SBU) Key Points:
--Dr. Samir Refaey, the Minister of Health (MoH)'s executive
director for disease surveillance, characterized Egypt as adequately
prepared for an expected increase in H1N1 influenza cases in the
next three months.
--As of December 19, 2009, MoH has reported 6,847 confirmed H1N1
cases with 93 fatalities.
--MoH's National Severity Index - which measures influenza's impact
on the country - has risen from normal to moderate conditions due to
the rise in H1N1 cases and deaths.
2. (U) ESTHoff met with Dr. Samir Refaey, MoH's executive director
of disease surveillance, on December 21 to discuss GoE planning and
preparation for the winter influenza season.
Refaey is the MoH's point person on influenza issues and advises
Health Minister Hatem El-Gabaly.
3. (SBU) According to Refaey, MoH has confirmed 6,847 H1N1 cases
with 89 fatalities as of December 19. He noted that 80% of all
cases have been reported in the last two months (November and
December). Refaey attributed this recent surge partly to the winter
weather but also noted MoH has begun allowing privately-owned
laboratories - and not just MoH facilities - to screen for H1N1.
This has lead to an increase in influenza testing; MoH estimates
that 60-70% of all confirmed H1N1 cases now come from private
laboratory reporting.
4. (SBU) MoH has raised the alert level for the National Severity
Index, a tracking system that monitors influenza's impact on the
country. Refaey explained that the sharp increase in H1N1 cases
coupled with a rise in the mortality rate (which now stands slightly
above 1% for all confirmed cases) triggered the change from normal
to moderate influenza conditions. (Note: In the color coded index,
green corresponds to normal while yellow represents a moderate
influenza situation. End Note)
5. (SBU)Noting that no country is ever completely ready, Refaey
stated MoH is currently "satisfied with its preparations" for the
winter influenza season. He advised that MoH possesses 1 million
doses of H1N1 vaccine, having received 450,000 doses earlier in the
week. MoH has instructed hospitals to increase space for intensive
care units and the number of ventilators available for patients with
more severe H1N1 symptoms. Refaey also explained that MoH has
stepped up its influenza media campaign, which encourages
individuals to seek immediate treatment if they display
influenza-like symptoms. He noted this message has played a
critical role in lowering the country's H5N1 (avian influenza)
mortality rate, which stands at 10% for all confirmed cases this
year (40 cases, resulting in 4 deaths),far below the global rate of
66%.
Scobey
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR OES-IHB (CHARLES PATTERSON AND SUSAN BOGGESS),NEA/ELA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO KFLU KSTH PGOV EAGR CASC PREL EAID EG
SUBJECT: EGYPT: DECEMBER 2009 INFLUENZA UPDATE
Ref: Cairo 2103
Sensitive but Unclassified. Please handle accordingly.
1.(SBU) Key Points:
--Dr. Samir Refaey, the Minister of Health (MoH)'s executive
director for disease surveillance, characterized Egypt as adequately
prepared for an expected increase in H1N1 influenza cases in the
next three months.
--As of December 19, 2009, MoH has reported 6,847 confirmed H1N1
cases with 93 fatalities.
--MoH's National Severity Index - which measures influenza's impact
on the country - has risen from normal to moderate conditions due to
the rise in H1N1 cases and deaths.
2. (U) ESTHoff met with Dr. Samir Refaey, MoH's executive director
of disease surveillance, on December 21 to discuss GoE planning and
preparation for the winter influenza season.
Refaey is the MoH's point person on influenza issues and advises
Health Minister Hatem El-Gabaly.
3. (SBU) According to Refaey, MoH has confirmed 6,847 H1N1 cases
with 89 fatalities as of December 19. He noted that 80% of all
cases have been reported in the last two months (November and
December). Refaey attributed this recent surge partly to the winter
weather but also noted MoH has begun allowing privately-owned
laboratories - and not just MoH facilities - to screen for H1N1.
This has lead to an increase in influenza testing; MoH estimates
that 60-70% of all confirmed H1N1 cases now come from private
laboratory reporting.
4. (SBU) MoH has raised the alert level for the National Severity
Index, a tracking system that monitors influenza's impact on the
country. Refaey explained that the sharp increase in H1N1 cases
coupled with a rise in the mortality rate (which now stands slightly
above 1% for all confirmed cases) triggered the change from normal
to moderate influenza conditions. (Note: In the color coded index,
green corresponds to normal while yellow represents a moderate
influenza situation. End Note)
5. (SBU)Noting that no country is ever completely ready, Refaey
stated MoH is currently "satisfied with its preparations" for the
winter influenza season. He advised that MoH possesses 1 million
doses of H1N1 vaccine, having received 450,000 doses earlier in the
week. MoH has instructed hospitals to increase space for intensive
care units and the number of ventilators available for patients with
more severe H1N1 symptoms. Refaey also explained that MoH has
stepped up its influenza media campaign, which encourages
individuals to seek immediate treatment if they display
influenza-like symptoms. He noted this message has played a
critical role in lowering the country's H5N1 (avian influenza)
mortality rate, which stands at 10% for all confirmed cases this
year (40 cases, resulting in 4 deaths),far below the global rate of
66%.
Scobey