MGSF01: TIMOR-LESTE RESPONSE TO H1N1 OUTBREAK

UNCLAS DILI 000115 SIPDIS GENEVA FOR WHO/HOHMAN STATE FOR S/ES-O/CMS, EAP/MTS, AND CA/OCS/EAP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU PREL TBIO CASC TT SUBJECT: MGSF01: TIMOR-LESTE RESPONSE TO H1N1 OUTBREAK ¶1. (U) Post medical officer was briefed April 29 by the Ministry of Heath's Director of Infectious Diseases on the Government of Timor-Leste's response to the outbreaks of H1N1 in the U.S. and Mexico. She reported that on the morning of the 29th, the Minister for Health and Special Secretary of State for Agriculture convened the National Commission for Pandemic Preparation. The Commission includes representatives of the Ministries of Health and Agriculture as well as country directors of the World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization. In the meeting, the GOTL reported that there have been no cases of H1N1 reported or confirmed in Timor-Leste. The GOTL will reactivate its plan for response to the Avian Flu threat, with Ministry of Agriculture conducting surveillance of possible outbreaks of sickness among livestock. The GOTL has no/no stockpile of anti-viral medication such as Tamiflu, and requested WHO assistance in obtaining this. The WHO has made no commitment and has agreed to pass the request to its regional headquarters in Bangkok. ¶2. (U) The Minister for Health has instructed hospitals to improve their preparedness including procedures for admitting suspected human cases of swine influenza. There is no importation ban in place on pork products. Quarantine officers will continue to monitor importation in accordance with the existing law and regulations and collaborate with global organizations to closely monitor the situation. ¶3. (U) The Commission also recommended: -- That the GOTL not create travel restrictions for people entering or leaving the country -- That no airport screening be conducted; however, authorities should provide information for arriving passengers. -- That people with an acute respiratory illness and fever (above 38 degrees Celsius) be encouraged to seek medical attention. ¶4. (SBU) Comment. The GOTL continues to suffer from across-the-board low administrative capacity. Its ability to respond to a pandemic would likely consist primarily of disseminating information to the public and enforcing travel controls. The National Hospital and other Timorese health care providers have very limited human and technical resources to respond to a large-scale medical crisis such as a pandemic. End comment. KLEMM