MGSF01: COPENHAGEN EAC UPDATE

UNCLAS COPENHAGEN 000209 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR AMGT, MG, DA SUBJECT: MGSF01: COPENHAGEN EAC UPDATE REF: A. Copenhagen 205 ¶B. State 45269 ¶1. In the wake of discovery of Denmark's first confirmed case of H1N1 virus (Reftel),the CDA led an EAC meeting on May 4 to take stock of the flu situation in Denmark and Embassy responses to it. There have been no further cases confirmed by Danish health authorities. ¶2. DHS on May 2 supplied Danish health authorities with a passenger manifest from the flight which transported the infected individual from New York to Denmark on April 29. Passengers who were in proximity to the individual are being contacted and tested. None have tested positive. ¶3. Danish police/immigration authorities confirmed on May 5 that Denmark does not use thermal imaging devices to screen for passengers with elevated temperatures. ¶4. CONS drafted and cleared with the Department a warden notice alerting Americans to the flu situation in Denmark and current advice on prevention/detection from Danish authorities. The notice was issued on May 5. Text of the warden/staff notice follows. This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to the latest information regarding human cases of 2009-H1N1 Influenza, previously referred to as swine flu. The Danish National Board of Health has reported one laboratory-confirmed case of H1N1 Influenza in this country. This involves a Danish citizen who traveled on April 29 from New York; this person has been treated by medical personnel and is currently recovering at home in isolation. Although there have been other cases reported in European countries, at this time there are no reported deaths from H1N1 Influenza in Europe. If coming from areas with confirmed cases of the flu, and symptoms (coughing, fever, diarrhea, aching joints) occur, local authorities have advised the public to call their doctor and to explain that they could have been exposed to the H1N1 Influenza. The doctor will test that person to confirm if he is positive for H1N1 flu. Everyone should pay particular attention to careful hand-washing and to avoiding contact with those with possible flu symptoms. The Embassy reminds U.S. citizens that most cases of influenza are not 2009-H1N1 Influenza. Any questions or concerns about influenza or other illnesses should be directed to a medical professional. Although the Embassy cannot provide medical advice or provide medical services to the public, a list of doctors can be found on our website at http://denmark.usembassy.gov under Citizen Services, Living in Denmark, Health and Medical. For further information about 2009-H1N1 Influenza, including steps you can take to stay healthy, please consult the Department of State information at http://travel.state.gov/travel/ cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_pandemic.html, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/, the U.S. Government pandemic influenza website at http://www.pandemicflu.gov, and the World Health Organization website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/ swineflu/en/index.html. For additional travel safety information, please consult the State Department's website at http://www.travel.state.gov. (Additional standard language on State Department travel information and Amcit registration)