Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CANBERRA593
2009-06-26 07:04:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Canberra
Cable title:
AUSTRALIA H1N1 SITREP JUNE 26, 2009
how-toVZCZCXRO9537 OO RUEHPB RUEHPT DE RUEHBY #0593 1770704 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 260704Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1688 INFO RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 2130 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 9512 RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI 1871 RUEHJA/AMEMBASSY JAKARTA 5470 RUEHKL/AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR 2593 RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 2015 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 9832 RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 1751 RUEHSV/AMEMBASSY SUVA 1557 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 3588 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 0022 RUEHBN/AMCONSUL MELBOURNE 6461 RUEHPT/AMCONSUL PERTH 4725 RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 4694 RUEAHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM
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
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
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