QATAR TRIES TO MITIGATE H1N1 PUBLIC CONCERN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DOHA 000556

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPAO QA
SUBJECT: QATAR TRIES TO MITIGATE H1N1 PUBLIC CONCERN

--------------
(U) KEY POINTS
--------------

-- Despite public concern about the potential spread of H1N1 in
Qatar following a reported death in August, the Government of Qatar
recently announced that the academic year 2009/2010 for all
government, semi-governmental, and independent schools will start on
schedule.

-- According to one public opinion poll, Qataris overwhelmingly
favor a postponement, despite repeated assurances from the
Government that the H1N1 outbreak is under control.

-- The Ministry of Health also announced a seasonal influenza
vaccination campaign for all school-age children up to 18 years of
age. Vaccination against H1N1 influenza will start once the
vaccines are available, probably in late 2009 or early 2010.

--------------
(SBU) COMMENTS
--------------

-- (SBU) Post is in regular contact with officials in the Ministry
of Health and will report on further developments as they occur.

End Key Points and Comments.

--------------
PUBLIC REACTION
--------------


1. (U) Although only one H1N1-related death has been reported in
Qatar as of August 31, Qataris appear somewhat panicked by the
influenza's global reach.


2. (U) Assistant Director of Passports and Airport Security, Colonel
Ibrahim Ahmed Nasr, reported in an interview with a local
Arabic-language newspaper August 27 that Qataris have changed their
travel destinations this year to the Gulf and other Arab and Middle
Eastern countries, avoiding destinations such as Europe and
Southeast Asia, where they believe the disease is prevalent.


3. (U) According to local media, pharmacies in Doha have witnessed
increased demand for Tamiflu - the accepted treatment for H1N1- and
the purchase of a large number of medical masks.


4. (U) A local English-language newspaper reported August 31 that
the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) and the Ministry of Endowments
and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) will cooperate on health campaigns
couched in Islamic religious principles to combat H1N1 influenza.
The newspaper reported that one thousand posters have been
distributed in three languages at various mosques and prayer rooms
in the country, describing the symptoms of the disease and
preventive steps people can take to reduce the likelihood of
transmission. Some Friday sermons are also reportedly promoting
H1N1 awareness.


5. (U) Dr. Youssri Abd Al Galeel Radwan, a member of the Emergency
Preparedness Committee at the Ministry of Health, renewed his call
for the return of Qatari students currently abroad, especially in
Britain and the United States, before the start of next winter to
avoid contracting the virus, according to a local Arabic-language
newspaper.

--------------
START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR
--------------


6. (U) In an interview in an Arabic-language newspaper August 27 Dr.
Abdel-Wahab Al Mosleh, Director of the Emergency Department at Hamad
Medical City (HMC) and the Director of Hamad International Medical
Training Center, said that there is no need to delay the start of
the school year as there is no reason to think that the epidemic wll
have abated within the next few months. Instead, when cases are
detected in a specific grade, all students in that class should be
granted leave until the symptoms disappear, for a minimum of seven
days, he noted.


7. (U) A September 1 opinion poll conducted by a local newspaper
showed that 90 percent of Qataris prefer to postpone the start of
the school year, with only 10 percent supported upholding the
current school schedule.


8. (SBU) The spouse of the Embassy's ARSO, a teacher at a local
nursery, reported September 7 that all children who want to start
daycare or nursery school within seven days of entering the country
must provide a doctor's note saying the child is not suspected of
having H1N1. This order apparently originated with the SCH.

--------------
SCHOOL VACCINATION CAMPAIGN
--------------

DOHA 00000556 002 OF 002




8. (U) Dr. Al Mosleh also announced August 27 that a seasonal
influenza vaccination campaign will be carried out next month. This
vaccination campaign, which will begin in the private schools, will
include all students eighteen years old and younger.


9. (U) A similar campaign of H1N1 flu vaccinations will begin once
the vaccine is available, likely in late 2009 or early 2010,
according to Mosleh.

--------------
OTHER PREPARATIONS
--------------


10. (U) According to a local Arabic-language newspaper, the Supreme
Council for Health has been in communication with Qatar's foreign
schools, whose academic year has already begun. The SCH is
conducting interviews with school administration and health
personnel to better understand the status of the H1N1 outbreak and
update their contacts database. Public health teams have also been
sent to schools to make sure that they have the most up-to-date
plans.


11. (U) The article further reports that workshops in Arabic and
English for school health personnel and administrators will be
announced soon by the SCH.


12. (U) Dr. Mohammad Al Thani, Director of Public Health, stated in
the English language press on September 3 that schools had been
asked to keep thermometers to check students' body temperatures
daily. However, there was no plan to install thermal cameras at
schools, like those operating at the airport, he said.


NANTONGO