MGSF01: HANOI SWINE FLU RESPONSE

UNCLAS HANOI 000403 SENSITIVE, SIPDIS STATE FOR CA/OCS/EAP, DS/IP/EAP; EAP/MLS, EAP/EX M/PRI FOR (MORRITZ, ROBIN); SES-O FOR (PARRA, ELIAS),AAIT, OESIHA, MED; HHS FOR OGHA (STIEGER, HICKEY); CEC ATLANTA FOR CCID AND COGH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO AMED AEMR AMGT CASC EAGR PINR MG KFLU KFLO KPREL, KSAF, KPAO, ASEC, KSEO, VM SUBJECT: MGSF01: HANOI SWINE FLU RESPONSE REF: A) STATE 41768, B) STATE 6306; C) STATE 67922 AND 67936 [2008]; ¶D. STATE 42349 ¶1. (SBU) On April 27, the DCM convened a meeting of the Avian Influenza Working Group (AIWG) and the Emergency Action Committee (EAC)in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to review current information on swine flu outbreaks and to review tripwires associated with influenza outbreaks in Vietnam in response to Ref. A. Groups in attendance from Hanoi: DCM, ADM, RSO, CDC, MED, CONS and PAS and from Ho Chi Minh City: CG, MGT, RSO, MED, CONS, CDC and PAS. ¶2. (SBU) CDC members from Hanoi briefed attendees with current information about the swine flu outbreak in Mexico and the U.S. CDC noted that seasonal influenza is active in Vietnam and that two recent cases of AI in Vietnam have been documented. There are no reported cases of swine flu in Vietnam. The Government of Vietnam (GVN) has responded to the swine flu outbreak with a very high alert to include screening incoming visitors from the United States and Mexico at ports of entry. ¶3. (SBU) Tripwires in place for AI were reviewed for relevance to swine flu. The most notable difference in tripwires for AI and swine flu is that AI is considered to be a regional phenomenon originating in rural populations that may migrate to higher populated urban centers. The introduction of swine flu to Vietnam will likely enter through international ports of entry and hence will likely be identified in urban areas. Due to two recent cases of AI in Vietnam, Tripwire 1 has been activated for quite some time. CDC notes that Vietnam "lives" at Tripwire 1. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have raised the response level to a modified Tripwire 2 due to the recent outbreak of swine flu in the U.S. and Mexico. ¶4. (SBU) Tripwire 2 actions will include: 1) Release of a mission notice to recommend mandatory sick leave for any employee who exhibits flu symptoms or who has a family member with flu symptoms, 2) Review shelter in-place procedures and stockpiles. Mission is adapting AI tripwires to be more appropriate to the current global health situation. A meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 28 to evaluate new information on the outbreaks. Please contact HHS Health Attache, Captain Michael Iademarco, at iademarcoMF@state.gov for any coordination issues. ¶5. (SBU) On April 27, a sub-group of the HCMC EAC met in order to discuss HCMC-specific follow-up actions to be taken in parallel with Mission-wide preparations. The HCMC meeting focused on preparations for shelter in place and requirements for an alternate command post. In parallel with Hanoi, HCMC on April 28 also posted established health information on Consulate web sites. HCMC EAC will convene again on April 28 to review any new actions needed prior to the long holiday weekend. MICHALAK