Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DOHA319
2009-05-17 04:39:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Doha
Cable title:  

TFFLU01 QATAR H1N1 STATUS REPORT NUMBER 4

Tags:  KFLU AEMR AMED ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6175
PP RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR
DE RUEHDO #0319 1370439
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 170439Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY DOHA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9058
INFO RHMFIUU/FAA NATIONAL HQ WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 0750
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 0206
UNCLAS DOHA 000319 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU AEMR AMED ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL
PINR, AMGT, MG, QA
SUBJECT: TFFLU01 QATAR H1N1 STATUS REPORT NUMBER 4

REF: DOHA 310
DOHA 307
DOHA 288

----------------
(SBU) KEY POINTS
----------------

-- There are no confirmed cases of H1N1 in Qatar as of May 14, 2009.


-- Due to fears over H1N1 in the U.S., all of Post's Public
Affairs-sponsored Qatari travelers have canceled their summer trips
to the U.S.

-- Thus far, Post has not seen a noticeable drop in visa
applications for travel to the U.S., though it is probable that
continued publicity and spread of the virus in the U.S. will prompt
many Qataris to choose other destinations for their summer
vacations.

End Key Points.

UNCLAS DOHA 000319

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU AEMR AMED ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL
PINR, AMGT, MG, QA
SUBJECT: TFFLU01 QATAR H1N1 STATUS REPORT NUMBER 4

REF: DOHA 310
DOHA 307
DOHA 288

--------------
(SBU) KEY POINTS
--------------

-- There are no confirmed cases of H1N1 in Qatar as of May 14, 2009.


-- Due to fears over H1N1 in the U.S., all of Post's Public
Affairs-sponsored Qatari travelers have canceled their summer trips
to the U.S.

-- Thus far, Post has not seen a noticeable drop in visa
applications for travel to the U.S., though it is probable that
continued publicity and spread of the virus in the U.S. will prompt
many Qataris to choose other destinations for their summer
vacations.

End Key Points.


1. (U) There are no confirmed H1N1 cases in Qatar as of 1600 local
on May 11, 2009.


2. (U) Three groups, consisting of more than 60 young Qatari men and
women, have decided to cancel previously planned trips to the United
States to study English and participate in Embassy-arranged cultural
programming.


3. (SBU) The groups reported that students' parents were concerned
about their children contracting H1N1. The Doha Youth Center, which
was to lead two of the groups' visits, asked the Embassy to conduct
an information session with the students and their parents,
emphasizing the low likelihood of contracting or dying from the
virus.

Action Request
--------------


4. (U) Embassy's research of USG websites has turned up only
emergency preparedness information and fact sheets on avoiding the
flu. We therefore request Department's assistance in developing
coordinated talking points that can be used to accurately inform
potential travelers to the United States of the current low
likelihood of contracting H1N1 or dying from it.


5. (U) Embassy provides the following draft talking points for
consideration:

-- The U.S. Government has confirmed about 3,000 cases of H1N1 in
the United States, which have thus far resulted in three deaths.

-- In a country of more than 300 million people, this represents an
infection rate of less than .001 percent.

-- The United States has not restricted travel in any way into or
out of the country, and continues to monitor the development of H1N1
closely.

-- Many medical professionals believe that the transmission rate of
H1N1 will slow during the summer months.

-- We continue to advise travelers to keep abreast of new
developments and to follow healthy practices in order to avoid
contracting viruses, just as they would normally do.

-- The U.S. Government encourages people from around the world to
continue visiting the United States.


RATNEY