TFFLU01: HCMC EXPANDS NOVEL H1N1 INFLUENZA A OUTREACH AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HO CHI MINH CITY 000415 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS, USAID/ANE, EEB/TPP/BTA/ANA USDOC FOR 4431/MAC/AP/OPB/VLC/HPPHO CDC FOR COGH (SBLOUNT),CCID (SREDD) AND DIV-FLU (NCOX/AMOHEN) HHS/OSSI/DSI PASS TO FIC/NIH (RGLASS) AND OGHA (DMILLER/MABDOO) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO AMED EAGR ECON PINR KFLU VM SUBJECT: TFFLU01: HCMC EXPANDS NOVEL H1N1 INFLUENZA A OUTREACH AND QUARANTINE CAPACITY REF: A) HONG KONG 887 B) HCMC 338 HO CHI MIN 00000415 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: As of COB May 26, there are no confirmed human cases of novel influenza A/H1N1 in Vietnam. Between April 26 and May 25, approximately 70 international travelers, including 26 AmCits, were quarantined after either exhibiting high temperatures on arrival at Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat (TSN) International Airport or for suspected exposure to H1N1. All have tested negative for novel influenza A/H1N1. Authorities have assigned six additional doctors to assist at the airport's International Quarantine Center, and have developed plans to quarantine or treat large numbers of exposed or infected individuals. The HCMC Department of Health (DoH)is also allowing some suspected cases to be quarantined in either their private homes or hotel rooms. End Summary. Still No Confirmed H1N1 Influenza Cases in Vietnam -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) There are no confirmed human cases of novel Influenza A/H1N1 in Vietnam as of COB May 26. Between April 26 and May 25, approximately 70 travelers, including 27 Amcits, were quarantined for either exhibiting high temperatures upon arrival at TSN international airport, or for suspected exposure to H1N1, according to Director of the HCMC DoH Dr. Nguyen Van Chau. On the evening of May 25, six travelers, including an Amcit, were quarantined upon arrival at TSN international airport after DoH authorities were informed by Taipei officials that the six had sat near two passengers who tested positive for H1N1 on a flight from San Francisco to Taiwan. While the Amcit tested negative for H1N1, the Amcit is still in quarantine as per protocol given the chances of false negative results and estimated incubation period. (Note: According to Dr. Chau, 7,000 international passengers pass through TSN airport daily. End note.) HCMC-bound Amcit Tests Positive for H1N1 during Korea Stopover -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) In the single incident involving the largest number of AmCits, a Vietnamese-American woman travelling from Seattle to HCMC on May 17 tested positive for H1N1 while connecting in Seoul, South Korea, where she was isolated. Thirty-five passengers from her flight, including 15 AmCits, continued on to HCMC, where all were quarantined upon arrival. According to Dr. Chau, two of the Amcits were quarantined in their hotel until they returned to the United States on May 23. ¶4. (SBU) Local officials continue to boost novel influenza A/H1N1 surveillance capacity at TSN airport. Six doctors from HCMC hospitals were recently assigned by the HCMC DoH to assist at TSN airport's International Quarantine Center, and two additional thermal scanners for use at TSN airport were recently ordered, according to Dr. Chau. Preparing for the Worst: Increasing Quarantine Capacity -------------- -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Dr. Chau noted that 50 beds in four different hospitals are currently set aside for H1N1 quarantine patients. If more than these 200 beds are required, the entire 500 bed Tropical Disease Hospital will become a H1N1 quarantine and treatment facility. Concurrently, each of HCMC's 24 districts is preparing a large public facility for possible use as a quarantine location. HCMC Footing Bill for Quarantine Costs -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Dr. Chau noted that so far quarantined travelers were being fed, housed, and treated (each standard PCR diagnosis costs the DoH 200 USD) at HCMC government expense. HCMC authorities are also negotiating to secure a large hotel in the event that they need to house larger number of quarantined travelers "in greater comfort." Dr. Chau also noted that some suspected cases were being quarantined in private homes or individually-rented hotel rooms. In those cases, DoH officials visit the individuals twice a day to monitor temperature and other influenza symptoms. DoH Prepares Health Care System to Treat H1N1 -------------- ¶7. (SBU) DoH staff, as well as health professionals from the Tropical Disease Hospital, are conducting training courses on treatment of novel Influenza A/H1N1 at all of HCMC's hospitals, according to Dr. Chau. Stocks of the anti-viral medication oseltamivir (Tamiflu) have been distributed to all hospitals in the area, including hospitals catering to foreigners, he said. HO CHI MIN 00000415 002.2 OF 002 Media Coverage and Public Outreach Remain on Track -------------- -------------- ¶8. (SBU) DoH has ramped up its H1N1 outreach campaign, running frequent television, radio, and newspaper ads that educate the public on influenza basics, including how to identify symptoms and avoid detection. They not only advise those exhibiting flu-like symptoms to seek medical attention, but urge the public to inform local medical centers of neighbors or work colleagues with influenza-like symptoms. The World Health Organization (WHO) conducted a training seminar on May 14 to educate journalists from southern media outlets about H1N1 fundamentals. Local media coverage has remained level-headed. Unlike in China or Hong Kong, no reports critical of the U.S. handling of the H1N1 outbreak have appeared in the Vietnamese media (ref A). In contrast, newspaper articles frequently make detailed mention of U.S. influenza assistance. Comment: -------------- ¶9. (SBU) HCMC officials continue to run an aggressive influenza A/H1N1 surveillance and public outreach program. The major change since post's initial report (ref B) is the introduction of less stringent quarantine techniques, where some individuals suspected of H1N1 are allowed to remain at home, or if travelers, in their hotel rooms. While voluntary quarantine may minimize city expenditures, there are concerns that if not strictly enforced it may compromise influenza containment. Mission is encouraging all AmCits to comply with quarantine measures. End Comment. ¶10. (U) This cable was coordinated with Embassy Hanoi. DICKEY