PANDEMIC FLU PREPARATIONS IN THE MALDIVES -

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 001092 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/INSB STATE FOR OES/IHB STATE FOR AID/GH/HIDN USDA PASS TO APHIS HHS PASS TO CDC HHS FOR OGHA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON PGOV TBIO KFLU SOCI CASC MV SUBJECT: PANDEMIC FLU PREPARATIONS IN THE MALDIVES - ASSISTANCE NEEDED REF: STATE 111924 COLOMBO 00001092 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 5. ¶2. (U) SUMMARY: To date, there have been only 32 confirmed cases of H1N1 (Swine flu) in the Maldives with one reported death. Maldivians are increasingly concerned with the country's ability to cope with a full-blown outbreak. The Maldives has a preparedness plan, although it is described by some as 'inadequate.' The airport and sea port are monitored for incoming passengers of concern. The country's few hospitals and health care facilities have taken some measures to prepare for a possible outbreak. The country is working with the World Health Organization (WHO) and has a small stock of Tamiflu, but additional flu vaccine and medicine are urgently needed. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (U) The Government of the Maldives (GOM) tracks, monitors, and shares information about the H1N1 situation in the country (see www.health.gov.mv). While there have been only 32 confirmed cases of H1N1 in the country, and only one reported death, the GOM has devel Ports, Customs, Immigration and the private sector were involved in developing the plan. While comprehensive, the country has only drafted standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the Male' atoll (where roughly one-third of the country's residents live) and was therefore described by some interlocutors as 'inadequate.' Still, the port authorities do thermally screen incoming passengers and health authorities are prepared to sequester possible arrivals at a small hotel near the airport in Male' where doctors and other professionals can tend to patients' needs. The Maldives has less than 2000 adult doses and 350 child doses of Tamiflu on hand -- adequate at this early stage, but insufficient should an outbreak occur. ¶4. (U) The WHO is present in the Maldives and assists the government on a range of health issues, including pandemic flu. Together, an outreach program is in place and health care providers, NGOs, and community-based organizations are actively involved in community outreach and raising awareness throughout the country's roughly 200 inhabited islands (out of 1190 total islands). The media is also closely following and reporting on the international coverage of flu outbreaks globally, and concern among the population is growing. In the past months, the Maldives has strengthened risk communication, surveillance, laboratory facilities, stockpiling of medicines and other supplies, and enhancing intensive care facilities. Public awareness campaigns are utilizing all available media outlets, although GOM officials readily admit that more needs to be done. WHO and UNICEF are working together to find additional funding to enhance these efforts. ¶5. (U) ACTION REQUEST: The GOM has identified 115,000 'at risk' individuals in the country -- including pregnant women, children, health care providers, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases -- who are in need of the flu vaccine. The GOM sent Post Diplomatic Note EA-US/B/2009/91, received December 2, requesting nearly 150,000 vaccine doses. Further conversations with the WHO representative in the country demonstrate an urgent need for at least 50,000 adult and 10,000 pediatric vaccine doses, as well as additional Tamiflu stock for children who get ill. As per reftel, Post requests Department assistance in responding positively to the Maldives request for assistance. Post COLOMBO 00001092 002 OF 002 has forwarded a copy of the Diplomatic Note to SCA/INSB. ¶6. (SBU) COMMENT: In the past year, the Maldives has become a pro-American, moderate-Muslim democracy, and its citizens are looking to their new government to deliver results. Unfortunately, until now, the GOM has not been successful in procuring the needed vaccine. While the islands may slow the spread of H1N1, it also hinders the government's ability to respond to a critical outbreak. Providing needed vaccines is the best method to limit mortality and increase the people's faith in their fledgling democratic government. END COMMENT. FOWLER