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