UNCLAS HONG KONG 001075

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR OES/IHB AMBASSADOR LOFTIS, DEPT FOR EAP/CM, DEPT
FOR CA/OCS/EAP, DEPT FOR M/PRI, DEPT FOR SES-O, HHS FOR
OGHA, CDC ATLANTA FOR CCID AND COGH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMED AEMR AMGT ASEC CASC KFLO KFLU KPAO KSAF
MG, PINR, PREL, TBIO, HK, CH
SUBJECT: HONG KONG H1N1 UPDATE - EAC MEETING IN RESPONSE TO
WHO DECLARATION AND HKG ACTIONS

REF: A. A) HONG KONG 1065

B. B) HONG KONG 802


1. Post's Emergency Action Committee (EAC) met June 12 to
review pandemic tripwires and reassess our readiness in
response to the World Health Organization's (WHO)
announcement of a Phase 6 Pandemic Alert and the Hong Kong
Government's (HKG) announcement of community transmission
(Reftel A), both on June 11. The EAC reviewed steps taken to
date, our previous assessment of crossing the Tripwire 2
threshold (Reftel B) and additional steps required in light
of the changed situation.


2. This public health crisis includes events across the
tripwire spectrum, such as the WHO Pandemic Phase 6
declaration. The EAC felt that the relatively low morbidity
and mortality of the current strain of H1N1 compared to Avian
Influenza (AI), which was the baseline for our tripwires,
calls for a more measured response. Post will remain at
Tripwire 2 and will continue to review our status and actions
as the situation evolves.


3. In response to the community outbreak in Hong Kong, Post
is taking the following steps:
- Health Unit staff will conduct a second round of meetings
with personnel in each section/office for continuing training
on infection prevention.
- The Management Section will review and, if necessary,
revise guidance to TDY travelers, to ensure they are
well-informed before they depart the United States about the
possibility of quarantine when they arrive in Hong Kong.
- The Consular Section will continue asking NIV and ACS
applicants to self-screen for illness before entering waiting
rooms.
- In light of the summer travel and transfer season, The
Management Section will coordinate pandemic in-briefs for
newly arrived personnel and employees and their family
members returning from the United States in the months of
July and August.
DONOVAN