BANGLADESH H1N1 INFECTIONS DECLINING

UNCLAS DHAKA 000983 STATE FOR M/PRI FOR RMORRITZ STATE FOR SCA/INSB, SCA/PPD STATE FOR S/ES-O/CMS FOR EPARRA STATE FOR OES/AIAG FOR AMBASSADOR LOFTIS, HELEN REED ROWE, AND CRAIG SHAPIRO STATE FOR OES/IHB, AAIT, MED HHS FOR OGHA STEIGER AND HICKEY CDC ATLANTA FOR CCID AND COGH USDA FOR APHIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU TBIO PINR EAGR AMED CASC PGOV BG SUBJECT: BANGLADESH H1N1 INFECTIONS DECLINING REF A: DHAKA 844 B: DHAKA 621 C: STATE 99088 D: STATE 104542 ¶1. (SBU) Overall circulation of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 activity is decreasing throughout Bangladesh although some cases continue to be identified. During June-October 15, 2009 surveillance programs identified a total of 6 fatalities out of 705 laboratory confirmed pandemic (H1N1) 2009 cases. The Ministry of Health (MOH) estimates that 1.7 million rural Bangladeshis and 107,000 Dhaka residents have displayed flu-like symptoms in this period with an overall fatality rate of 0.9 percent. CDC suspects the death rate is higher than the H1N1 death rate in the U.S. because Bangladeshi patients receive treatment later, an average of 7 days after the onset of illness (compared to a 3 day average in the U.S.). Press coverage about H1N1 also declined from a peak following school closures and the first confirmed fatalities in late August. CDC continues to monitor surveillance programs for evidence of a second wave of H1N1 infections during the flu season which is expected to come by April ¶2010. ¶2. (SBU) Mission's Pandemic Influenza Working Group met on September 30 to review ref C guidance and mission preparedness. Post health unit confirms that Tamiflu and other medical supplies are adequate. Management and consular reviewed ref D guidance, which is consistent with existing internal and warden messages on H1N1. DEAN