Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DARESSALAAM268
2009-04-27 15:13:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Cable title:  

US EMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM EAP MEETING ON SWINE

Tags:  AEMR AMED AMGT ASEC CASC KPAO KSAF TBIO TZ 
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R 271513Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8450
INFO AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA 
AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 
AMEMBASSY KIGALI 
AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 
AMEMBASSY LILONGWE 
AMEMBASSY LUSAKA 
AMEMBASSY MAPUTO 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000268 

DEPT FOR AF/E
CA/OCS/ACS/AF,
DS/IP/AF,
SES-O/CMS,
AF/EX

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR AMED AMGT ASEC CASC KPAO KSAF TBIO TZ
SUBJECT: US EMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM EAP MEETING ON SWINE
INFLUENZA

REF: SECSTATE 41768

UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000268

DEPT FOR AF/E
CA/OCS/ACS/AF,
DS/IP/AF,
SES-O/CMS,
AF/EX

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR AMED AMGT ASEC CASC KPAO KSAF TBIO TZ
SUBJECT: US EMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM EAP MEETING ON SWINE
INFLUENZA

REF: SECSTATE 41768


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: A Swine Flu Emergency Action Plan subcommittee of the Emergency Action Committee for U.S. Mission Tanzania was formed and convened in order to discuss courses of action in light of current worldwide health developments. Tripwires from the Avian Influenza Program are being adapted to meet the information known about the new strain of Swine influenza, as we await more detailed Department guidance. We will be seeking funds to increase our anti-viral medication stockpile. A Management Notice will be released to inform Mission personnel of what is known about the current strain, health precautions to take and what preparations should be made ahead of time in case of a
shelter in place decision. The Consular Section will seek guidance from Consular Affairs on developing a Warden Message. The Mission's current stance is to open dialogue with the Government of Tanzania and to keep Mission members as well informed as possible in order to avoid unnecessary alarm, while continuing to monitor the situation closely.
END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) The Charge d'Affaires called and chaired a meeting including the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission and Consular Officer, Regional Security Officer, Post Physician, Center for Disease Control (CDC) Country Director, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Health and Population Officers, and the General Services Officer as Acting Management Officer and directed those in attendance to serve
as the core members of a Swine Influenza Emergency Action Plan (EAP) committee. The committee will be chaired by the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission. The next meeting has been scheduled later in the week.


3. (U) The Emergency Action Plans for an Avian Influenza (AI) outbreak were reviewed and discussed in light of what is known about the current situation. These tripwires will be used to develop courses of action for dealing with a possible Swine Influenza (SI) outbreak until further guidance is received.


4. (SBU) Currently, U.S. Embassy Dar es Salaam has adequate anti-viral medications for all direct hire Americans and roughly 60% of the FSNs. The Charge d'Affaires requested that members attempt to identify funding to help cover the remaining 40%. The Post stores have adequate stocks of masks, gloves and other infection control equipment for Mission members and the Local Guard Force. The Post
Physician stated that Tanzania does not have the medical support infrastructure needed for a large scale influenza outbreak.


5. (U) The Management Section will issue a Management Notice to Mission personnel that will cover what is currently known about the outbreak, what steps they should take for emergency preparedness, and guidelines for avoid contracting/spreading influenza drawn from language in REFTEL. Town Hall style meetings are also planned in order to keep Mission members as well informed as possible and avoid undue alarm.


6. (U) The Consular Section has been informed that Consular Affairs will have language for the Warden Message by this evening local time. Dar es Salaam will send out a Warden Message tomorrow morning local time. The Mission has consistently completed outreach programs to American citizens
in Tanzania concerning Avian Influenza over the last few years. These well established lines of communication will facilitate future dissemination of information to the public.


7. (SBU) In the coming days, CDC Tanzania will discuss Tanzania's preparedness with the World Health Organization Tanzania and the Government of Tanzania, especially as regards control methods, logistics and anticipated support required.


8. (SBU) The Mission will continue to monitor the situation.


9. (U) Point of contact for this cable is ARSO Charlie
Cashion.
ANDRE