AUSTRALIA H1N1 SITREP JUNE 18, 2009

UNCLAS CANBERRA 000570 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR OES\IHB, 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 JUNE 18, 2009 REF: A. SECSTATE 42324 ¶B. SECSTATE 41745 ¶C. CANBERRA 415 ¶D. CANBERRA 419 ¶E. CANBERRA 518 ¶1. (SBU) The following is the latest SITREP covering Australia's response to the H1N1 outbreak. ¶2. (SBU) Government Response: On June 17th, the GOA announced a new pandemic response phase - PROTECT - and all jurisdictions are moving to PROTECT level. Key changes include: - Recognizing the disease is moderate overall and the majority of patients making a rapid full recovery; - Limit testing to patients with moderate or severe cases, patients in institutional setting, and patients vulnerable to severe illnesses; - Treatment from anti-viral stockpiles only for vulnerable groups or patients in institutional settings (hospitals, nursing homes, and special needs schools); - Increased testing at sentinel sites in the community; - Shutting down containment measures like school closures, border screening, widespread testing, and mandatory quarantine for people in contact with mild patients. The decision to create a new pandemic phase is driven by the recognition that containment of H1N1 is no longer a possibility and that the actual health impacts, outside of vulnerable populations, are minimal. Surveillance of H1N1's genetic characteristics will continue, with the option of taking more aggressive measures should changes be detected that represent a more significant threat. ¶3. (SBU) Case Count: Since the outbreak of H1N1, Australia has confirmed 2112 H1N1 infection. 66 cases have required hospitalization. ¶4. (SBU) Post Actions: Post notified the Embassy community via management notice of these changes, and advice from the Australian health authorities, on June 18. ¶5. (SBU) Consular Issues: As of June 18, there are no reported consular issues involving H1N1. CLUNE