STATUS OF H1N1 IN BERMUDA: TEN CASES

UNCLAS HAMILTON 000092 EUR-IO/EX/PMO (P. KIEHL); EUR/WE; CA/OCS/ACS/WHA; M/MED E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: APER AMGT KFLU TF BD SUBJECT: STATUS OF H1N1 IN BERMUDA: TEN CASES ¶1. The government of Bermuda (GOB) continues to follow WHO guidelines for Pandemic Alert Level Phase Six and prominently posts H1N1 updates, facts, health tips and contact information on its Department of Health website: www.health.gov.bm . Bermuda's Minister of Health stated in June that Bermuda did not expect to see many cases of the flu until autumn. After an initial flurry of media coverage, flu awareness is not much in the public eye. GOB on-line information resources are extensive for a small island; publicizing these resources will be key to prevention efforts as the weather cools down and children return to school. ¶2. GOB strategy for Pandemic Flu focuses on prevention, good hygiene, and social distancing. The GOB has stockpiled 1,500 treatment courses of Tamiflu for its population of 65,000. The GOB has not imposed any travel or trade restrictions or entry/exit screening, nor has it issued any travel warnings. The GOB has not requested assistance from the USG. ¶3. The GOB reported the three most recently confirmed cases on: 30 July 2009, 6 August 2009 and 21 August 2009. There are now a total of ten (10) confirmed cases, eight (8) residents, and two (2) visitors. There have been no secondary cases reported. There have been no deaths. The press reported the first confirmed case of H1N1 flu in Bermuda June 1, 2009. The patient was a 13 year-old American visitor. The case was later reclassified as an "American" case because the patient had come from the U.S. This case is not included within the 10 confirmed cases for the island. ¶4. Posts POC is Econ/Commercial Assistant Kathy Highe, phone (441) 295-1342 x 221, e-mail: HigheKE@state.gov . Bermuda Department of Health's Chief Medical Officer is Dr. John Cann, phone: (441) 278-4921 or e-mail: jwcann@gov.bm . SHELTON