AUSTRALIA H1N1 SITREP JUNE 26, 2009

UNCLAS CANBERRA 000593 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 26, 2009 REF: A. SECSTATE 42324 ¶B. SECSTATE 41745 ¶C. CANBERRA 415 ¶D. CANBERRA 419 ¶E. CANBERRA 518 ¶F. CANBERRA 570 ¶G. CANBERRA 464 ¶1. (SBU) The following is the latest SITREP covering Australia's response to the H1N1 outbreak. ¶2. (SBU) Government Response: Australia remains in its "Protect" posture (ref F) despite continued growth in case numbers. The first confirmed deaths in Australia are all still considered to be in health-compromised individuals. According to National Incident Room (NIR) director Gary Lum, Australian health authorities continue to watch carefully the course of H1N1 in other countries, including Argentina, where death tolls have risen in the Southern winter. The Department of Health and Ageing is keeping a close watch on how provision of medical treatment from the national medical stockpile to vulnerable populations may affect overall readiness in the event of a next wave or increase in lethality. Health authorities are using the recent slowdown in new cases to regroup and prepare for a potential second wave. The Australian Health Protection Committee will meet next week to consider additional measures, and begin planning for lessons-learned reporting and analysis. The NIR will reduce hours to ten-hour days with on-call support starting next week. The newly-created "Protect Phase" is being drafted into a revised Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza (AHMPPI) as an Annex, which was added on June 17. The GOA has placed its first order with vaccine manufacturer CSL Ltd. for H1N1 Influenza A vaccine, which is expected to be ready within three months. The GOA is concerned that Indigenous Australians are more likely to contract severe cases of H1N1. Increased vulnerability in isolated but travel-dependent communities is also associated with the poor state of aborigine and Torres Straits Islander health (ref H). All Indigenous Australians are now classified as vulnerable for treatment and management purposes under the new "Protect" response phase (ref F),and Australia is actively seeking information on H1N1 impacts and preparedness in indigenous communities in Canada and the U.S. ¶3. (SBU) Case Count: Since the outbreak of H1N1, Australia has confirmed 3409 H1N1 infection. 197 cases have required hospitalization. 49 cases are currently hospitalized with 18 in intensive care. There have been 4 deaths due to H1N1. All deaths have had chronic illnesses. ¶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 26, there are no reported consular issues involving H1N1. CLUNE