H1N1 UPDATE IN QATAR: MEETING WITH MINISTRY OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DOHA 000513 SIPDIS RIYADH FOR RMO (MANI SRINIVASAN) E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/12/2019 TAGS: PREL PINR KFLU AEMR AMED ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF, KPAO, AMGT, MG, QA SUBJECT: H1N1 UPDATE IN QATAR: MEETING WITH MINISTRY OF HEALTH OFFICIALS Classified By: CDA Mirembe L. Nantongo for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) -------------- (C) KEY POINTS -------------- -- (U) There have been 350 reported cases of the H1N1 virus in Qatar, according to Government of Qatar (GOQ) officials. This represents an increase from an earlier - probably under-reported - figure of 43 reported cases. One American has been quarantined in Doha and there has been one reported fatality to date (a Qatari national). -- (C) Foreign patients are being isolated in Qatar's medical complex, while Qatari patients are quarantined at home. -- (C) Officials at the Ministry of Health expect the number of H1N1 cases to increase as residents return from summer vacation and again when pilgrims return from the Hajj in late November and early December. -------------- (C) COMMENTS -------------- -- (C) It is post's assessment that the increase in the number of reported H1N1 cases in Qatar does not reflect a rapid spread in the virus, but rather earlier under-reporting by the authorities in an effort to prevent public panic. -- (C) The GOQ appears knowledgeable about H1N1 and seem to be taking appropriate steps to combat it. The GOQ does appear, however, to be disbursing antiviral medication too liberally. -- (C) Embassy obtained the GOQ Supreme Council of Health's most recent Pandemic Update newsletter, dated August 13, which provides hospitals and clinics with guidelines for treating H1N1 cases. This document instructs health units to test only high-risk patients - over 65 years old, under 2 years old, pregnant, and so on, - and those suffering from severe respiratory illness. Given these instructions, it seems unlikely the GOQ has an accurate count of H1N1 cases in the country. End Key Points and Comments. -------------- H1N1 UPDATE -------------- ¶1. (U) Qatar's Supreme Council of Health is now reporting 350 H1N1 cases, up from the previous figure of 43, according to a report in a local English-language newspaper published on August 12. This gives Qatar the 3rd largest total of cases in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. To date there has been only one reported fatality - a Qatari businessman 
who contracted the disease in Dubai. ¶2. (U) RMO and Emboffs met with Dr. Husam Rezeq, head of the Communicable Disease Control section at the Ministry of Health, and Dr. Shazia Nadeem, Head of Emergency Preparedness Program on August 12 at the Ministry of Health. They discussed the H1N1 situation in Qatar. Dr. Rezeq reported that his entire section was focused on the H1N1 pandemic, although there have been no human-to-human transmissions in Qatar. To date, all H1N1 patients reportedly contracted the virus in other countries. He stated that there have been 350 cases of H1N1 virus influenza in Qatar. -------------- TREATMENT IN QATAR -------------- ¶3. (C) Drs. Rezeq and Nadeem explained Qatar's process for responding to suspected cases of H1N1. All health centers, public and private, have been educated on how to recognize H1N1 symptoms and, according to Dr. Rezeq, told to refer suspected patients to Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) or one of 4-5 satellite test centers which were established so as not to overburden HMC. ¶4. (C) Dr. Nadeem reported that Qatar was no longer relying on the rapid H1N1 test, as it had proven ineffective. The test they employ yields results in 2-3 days; while the diagnosis is pending, the treatment for H1N1 - Tamiflu or DOHA 00000513 002 OF 002 Relenza - is started. ¶5. (C) At this point, the procedure for Qataris and foreigners diverges, according to Dr. Rezeq. He noted that Qataris are released while the hospital waits for the test results. If the patient is negative for H1N1, Dr. Rezeq said he or she is told to finish the medication they have been given, since Tamiflu and Relenza are effective against other viruses. However, those patients who test positive are quarantined in their homes -- though particularly severe cases are hospitalized in HMC, according to Dr. Nadeem. (Note: Dr. Rezeq stated that only 3 H1N1 patients had been hospitalized, one of whom was a Qatari businessman who contracted the illness in Dubai and died upon his return to Qatar. According to press reports, he was suffering from other health complications prior to contracting the illness.) ¶6. (C) Dr. Rezeq explained that those who are quarantined receive daily calls from authorities, both to assess the patient's condition and to ensure adherence to the quarantine. After five days of taking the medication, the patient is asked to abstain from using it for 24 hours. If symptoms do not resurface during that period, the patient is released from quarantine, according to Dr. Rezeq. ¶7. (C) Non-citizens of Qatar (residents, visitors, and those in transit) who are suspected of suffering from H1N1, in contrast, are isolated in HMC until the test results are received, the doctors explained. If the test results are negative for H1N1, the patient is released. If the test results are positive, however, the patient is kept at HMC for the duration of the treatment. (Note: Post knows of only one American who has been quarantined in HMC - a young boy who was transiting Doha on his way to Bangladesh.) ¶8. (C) Dr. Nadeem said thermal imaging has been used at Doha International Airport to screen arriving passengers. Although it has proved an ineffective screening mechanism, the thermal imaging will be continued, she added. Dr. Nadeem also reported that the Ministry has observed no resistance to medication. He also revealed that Qatar does not have enough flu vaccine for the entire population so it would be distributed according to World Health Organization guidelines. Dr. Rezeq said that Qatar plans to vaccinate all children once the vaccine becomes available, but provided no further specifics. -------------- H1N1 OUTLOOK -------------- ¶9. (C) Both doctors emphasized that the situation is likely to worsen due to a combination of factors: the approach of winter; the return of Qataris from vacation; and the upcoming Hajj. Dr. Rezeq revealed that the Qatari authorities are prepared to convert Doha's Rumaila Hospital into a H1N1 center if necessary. ¶10. (C) Concerning the Hajj, Dr. Rezeq said that Qatar planned to disseminate educational programs and kits to companies organizing travel to Mecca. He also noted that science alone was not enough to induce caution in the pilgrims, so the GOQ intended to use religion to support their policies by referencing Koranic injunctions supportive of preventive measures that reduce the likelihood of transmission. The Saudis are drafting a fatwa supporting the guidelines designed to combat the spread of H1N1, according to the doctors. Nantongo