AUSTRALIA H1N1 SITREP JULY 10, 2009

UNCLAS CANBERRA 000639 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 JULY 10, 2009 REF: A. SECSTATE 42324 ¶B. SECSTATE 41745 ¶C. CANBERRA 415 ¶D. CANBERRA 419 ¶E. CANBERRA 464 ¶F. CANBERRA 518 ¶G. CANBERRA 570 ¶H. CANBERRA 593 ¶1. (SBU) The following is the latest SITREP covering Australia's response to the H1N1 outbreak. ¶2. (SBU) Government Response: The GOA has not altered their response posture since 17 June, but confirms that all jurisdictions are now compliant with the PROTECT phase of the Australian national pandemic response plan. The Department of HEALTH and Aging continues to monitor the situation, and increasing case numbers and deaths as Australia moves through its seasonal influenza phase have kept H1N1 on the front burner as a public HEALTH issue. Australian medical authorities have noted that H1N1 appears to have supplanted seasonal influenza strains. Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer Jim Bishop confirmed to econoff on July 10 that H1N1 remains an "all hands on deck" issue for federal and state health officials. ¶3. (SBU) Case Count: Since the outbreak of H1N1, Australia has confirmed a total of 7933 cases. As of July 10, there are 18 total fatalities in Australia. 21 suspect cases are still being investigated. ¶4. (SBU) Post Actions: Post continues to monitor the H1N1 situation in Australia. ¶5. (SBU) Consular Issues: The Sydney ACS section received ONE call from a U.S. citizen asking about how to determine if the individual had been infected on July 9, and referred the individual to Australian HEALTH resources. CLUNE