MGSF01 AUSTRALIA H1N1 SITREP APRIL 29 2009

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CANBERRA 000419

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STATE FOR H1N1 MONITORING GROUP, AIAG FOR WINN; STATE
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SUBJECT: MGSF01 AUSTRALIA H1N1 SITREP APRIL 29 2009

REF: A. SECSTATE 42324

B. SECSTATE 41745

C. CANBERRA 415


1. (SBU) The following is the latest SITREP covering
Australia's response to the H1N1 outbreak.


2. (SBU) Government Response: The GOA increased its pandemic
response phase to DELAY under the Australian Health
Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza (AHMPPI - available at
www.flupandemic.gov.au). Health Minister Roxon declared H1N1
a quarantineable disease under the Quarantine Act 1908, a
legal step necessary should the government need to impose
mandatory quarantine on suspected or confirmed H1N1
sufferers. Currently, if an arriving traveler is screened by
quarantine and health officials and considered to be of
concern, they are asked to travel directly to their home or
hotel and self-quarantine. If severely ill, they will be
assessed and transported to a medical facility on a
case-by-case basis. New South Wales health authorities also
declared H1N1 notifiable, which enables state medical
responders to enforce quarantines if needed. The Coalition
of Australian Governments (COAG) which is the coordination
group for federal and state governments on policy, is
scheduled to meet May 1 in Hobart, and will ratify joint
pandemic protocols. Press reports claimed the government was
exploring options to prohibit arrival in Australia for
aircraft and vessels in the event a true pandemic emerges,
but stressed no such requirement currently exists. The
Department of Foreign Affairs advised Australians to
"reconsider" travel to Mexico due to the severe H1N1 outbreak
there.


3. (SBU) According to a source at Qantas, the airline has
implemented GOA-mandated procedures for passengers in-bound
to Australia. So far they have reported 14 passengers as
having flu-like symptoms, but to date all have been cleared
of having H1N1. There has not yet been a large number of
passengers calling to inquire about overseas travel; Qantas
is referring them to DFAT's travel advisory website. Qantas
has not seen an upsurge in passengers requesting rebooking or
cancelling international travel, and since the news broke
late last week, there has not been a drop in sales for
international flights. Virgin Blue told us they haven't seen
any impact on bookings yet but they are "expecting" a
"backlash", probably within the next few days, that will
reduce international bookings. They are getting quite a few
calls from passengers who are asking about travel to North
America, and like Qantas are referring them to the GOA's web
site.


4. (SBU) Angela Pratt, Chief of Staff to Health Minister
Nicola Roxon, told embassy today that Australia has large
stockpiles of antiviral medicines (DOHA confirmed 8.7 million
courses of either Tamiflu or Relenza) - one of the largest in
the world in per capita terms. Based on that and the fact
that Australia has not yet recorded any cases, they are not
Qthat Australia has not yet recorded any cases, they are not
looking to buy any more at the moment. Pratt said CSL has
already begun working on a H1N1 vaccine, but how long it
would be to finish production and distribute it widely enough
to have an effect was unclear. Pratt said internal GOA
coordination was "going well". There are two key bodies.
The National Crisis Committee is an interagency group at the
Federal government level, including DOHA, Attorney Generals
and Customs (due to border issues),among others. The other
is the Australian Health Protection Committee, comprised of
the chief medical officers for Australia and each of
Australia's eight state and territory governments. Currently
the NCC is meeti
ng once per day, AHPC twice a day. ABC news reported that

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GlaxoSmithKline is preparing to boost production of Relenza
in Melbourne by 5 million doses over the next three months.


5. (SBU) Case Count: According to DOHA's National Incident
Room, Australia is investigating 90 suspect cases, but has
not confirmed any cases of H1N1 as of April 29. Of particular
concern are 22 Australians who traveled on a flight with
three New Zealand nationals who tested positive for H1N1.


6. (SBU) Post Actions: Post convened the EAC on April 29
(septel),to discuss additional measures, including
publishing information on Australia's screening measures, and
reviewed medical resources in the event the outbreak worsens.
Charge then explained U.S. and Australian government actions
and answered questions at a town hall meeting for post
employees.


7. (SBU) Consular Issues: As of April 29, there are no ACS
cases involving quarantine or isolation of U.S. citizens.


8. (SBU) Public Diplomacy: H1N1 continues to be a top news
story of the day. All major media outlets covered the steps
taken by GOA and in other countries to contain the virus.
ABC news radio conducted an interview with an Australian
veterinarian practicing in the U.S. who cautioned against the
use of the term "swine flu" and explained that the disease
was now a human virus and was not caused by eating pork
products. Media concern focused heavily on confirmed cases
in New Zealand.


9. (SBU) Agriculture Issues: As of April 29, the GOA has not
banned any pork imports from any location, and the Australian
Quarantine and Inspection Service has advised government that
it will follow guidelines set by the World Animal Health
Organization (OIE).

CLUNE