STATUS OF H1N1 IN BERMUDA: 16 CASES

UNCLAS HAMILTON 000133 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/WE (JOHN MARBURG AND NIMA ABBASZADEH) STATE FOR M/MD (RMO DR. DANIEL MUHM) STATE FOR CA/OCA/ACS/WHA STATE FOR HHS WASHINGTON DC STATE FOR HOMELAND SECURITY WASH DC STATE FOR DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASH DC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: APER AMGT KFLU TF BD SUBJECT: STATUS OF H1N1 IN BERMUDA: 16 CASES REF: HAMILTON 92 ¶1. (U) The Government of Bermuda (GOB) has reported six new confirmed cases of H1N1 on the Island in October and one in late September, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases from 10 (REFTEL) to 16 in Bermuda as of October 31. According to the Department of Health's website, there have been slightly more cases among males, and the majority of cases are aged 25-64 (six cases aged 26-44 and five cases aged 45-64, 7 females and 9 males). There have been no deaths on the Island attributed to the virus. ¶2. (SBU) Minister of Health Walter Roban told the Consul General on October 26 that the GOB had budgeted funds to pay the UK for up to 50,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine, and the UK had agreed to pouch the vaccine when it became available and Bermuda requested. Meanwhile, the GOB is offering regular flu shots throughout the Island. SHELTON