AUSTRALIA H1N1 SITREP JULY 31, 2009

					  UNCLAS CANBERRA 000697 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR OES/IHB, AIAG FOR WINN; STATE 
PLEASE PASS DHHS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KFLU AEMR TBIO AMGT MG AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA H1N1 SITREP JULY 31, 2009 
 
REF: A. SECSTATE 42324 
     
B. SECSTATE 41745 
     
C. CANBERRA 678 AND PREVIOUS 
 
					

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



2. (SBU) Government Response: Australian pandemic response
has not changed since June 17. Additional measures adopted
since July 24 include use of demountable (mobile buildings)
H1N1 clinics being deployed at Launceston hospital -- the
first of several planned -- and additional risk management
protocols to protect EMS and ambulance personnel. Australia's
Department of Health and Ageing reported July 31 that the
national Flutracking report indicated influenza-like illness
was increasing in Queensland, but is declining in New South
Wales and Tasmania. Elective surgery procedures continue to
be postponed, with Townsville and Perth both canceling dozens
of elective procedures in order to meet respiratory support
needs for an increasing number of flu patients. New South
Wales health officials are concerned that the return of
school children to school from the winter break will result
in a spike of new cases. At the same time, Queensland health
authorities said they were no longer confirming positive H1N1
(pandemic) 09 cases at individual schools as the impact was
not severe.



3. (SBU) Case Count: Australia has confirmed a total of
21,668 pandemic H1N1 (2009) influenza cases since the first
detection in Australia. There have been 2525
hospitalizations and 61 deaths (up from 50 on July 27)
attributed to the pandemic.



4. (SBU) Post Actions: Post continues to monitor the H1N1
situation in Australia.



5. (SBU) Consular Issues: As of July 31, there are no
reported consular issues involving H1N1.

CLUNE