Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09HANOI403
2009-04-28 10:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Hanoi
Cable title:  

MGSF01: HANOI SWINE FLU RESPONSE

Tags:  TBIO AMED AEMR AMGT CASC EAGR PINR MG KFLU KFLO 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0742
OO RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #0403 1181032
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 281032Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9583
INFO RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA PRIORITY
RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH 5818
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


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