AUSTRALIA H1N1 SITREP 28 APRIL 2009

UNCLAS CANBERRA 000415 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EXECSEC LIBBY, AIAG FOR WINN; STATE PLEASE PASS DHHS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR, AMGT, MG, AS SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA H1N1 SITREP 28 APRIL 2009 REF: A. SECSTATE 42324 ¶B. SECSTATE 41745 ¶1. (SBU) The following is a SITREP covering Australia's response to the H1N1 outbreak. ¶2. (SBU) Government Response: The GOA is actively monitoring the spread of H1N1 globally, and activated a National Incident Room command post, led by the Department of Health and Ageing (DOHA),on April 26 (this NIR was in place to deal with the arrival of refugees on Ashmore Reef, but has been extended to deal with H1N1). The Minister of Health, Nicola Roxon, has been in close contact with relevant state authorities through the Australian Health Protection Committee (AHPC) and has instituted screening measures for incoming air passengers. This screening consists of active non-automatic pratique measures for all flights originating or picking up passengers in the Americas. This includes in-flight instructions to report illness to flight crew and reporting by flight crew of suspected illness for screening by quarantine and health officers on arrival. The Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer has notified general practitioners on H1N1 and DOHA has provided information to emergency departments, border screeners, and first responders. The Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory is the WHO collaborating center for influenza in Australia. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) added information about H1N1 in the United States to its U.S. travel advisory on April 27. The advisory does not warn Australians against traveling to the U.S., but suggests they consult a physician or hospital if they suffer from flu symptoms. ¶3. (SBU) Case Count: As of 1700 local time April 28, Australian health authorities are according to media investigating at least 45 suspected cases in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, and Western Australia, but have so far not confirmed any H1N1 cases. ¶4. (SBU) Post Actions: Post is working with DOHA to monitor the situation, and issued a management notice on April 28 providing updated information for post personnel. The EAC is scheduled to meet on April 29 to review pandemic influenza tripwires and additional actions under the post pandemic plan. A Town Hall meeting was already scheduled for April 29 and Charge and post management are prepared to provide information on H1N1 in that meeting. ¶5. (SBU) Consular Issues: As of 1600 local time April 28, there are no reported consular cases involving H1N1 or Australian screening measures. ¶6. (SBU) Public Diplomacy: The H1N1 outbreak is front page news in all media, and U.S. actions are being closely followed. There have been no direct inquiries as of April ¶28. CLUNE