Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09HONGKONG768
2009-04-27 10:06:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Hong Kong
Cable title:
HONG KONG SWINE FLU RESPONSE
how-toVZCZCXRO9616 OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC DE RUEHHK #0768 1171006 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 271006Z APR 09 FM AMCONSUL HONG KONG TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7483 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY 5165 RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA PRIORITY
UNCLAS HONG KONG 000768
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR CA/OCS/EAP, M/PRI FOR ROBIN MORRITZ, SES-O FOR
ELIAS PARRA, AAIT, OESIHA, MED, HHS FOR OGHA - STEIGER,
HICKEY, CEC ATLANTA FOR CCID AND COGH
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMED AMGT ASEC CASC KFLU KPAO KSEO TBIO HK CH
SUBJECT: HONG KONG SWINE FLU RESPONSE
REF: STATE 41768
UNCLAS HONG KONG 000768
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR CA/OCS/EAP, M/PRI FOR ROBIN MORRITZ, SES-O FOR
ELIAS PARRA, AAIT, OESIHA, MED, HHS FOR OGHA - STEIGER,
HICKEY, CEC ATLANTA FOR CCID AND COGH
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMED AMGT ASEC CASC KFLU KPAO KSEO TBIO HK CH
SUBJECT: HONG KONG SWINE FLU RESPONSE
REF: STATE 41768
1. (SBU) In response to the Swine Flu outbreak in Mexico and
cases in the U.S. and other countries, on April 26 Hong Kong
raised its 3-tier pandemic response level from Tier-1,
"Alert", to Tier-2, "Serious". Hong Kong's move is
precautionary and follows established protocols. There have
been no reported or suspected cases of Swine Flu in Hong Kong
to date. This response-level change provides the legal basis
for increased health screenings at ports-of-entry and
additional authority to quarantine arriving passengers with
an identifiable fever or exhibiting flu-like symptoms. The
government has also issued a health advisory suggesting that
individuals planning travel to areas of known Swine Flu
activity consider altering their travel plans and
recommending, if they do travel, passengers take precautions
to lessen the risk of exposure. As of April 27,
HKG-identified locations of Swine Flu concern include Mexico,
California, Kansas, Texas, New York, Ohio, and the Canadian
Provinces of Nova Scotia and British Columbia.
2. (SBU) Responding to Department guidance (REFTEL) and the
HKG pandemic influenza response level change, Post's Avian
Influenza Working Group (AIWG) met on April 27 to review
pandemic influenza tripwires and discuss additional possible
courses of action. All Post preparations, including
recommended levels of medical supplies, were in order. Post
has sent out notices to both Consulate General staff and the
AMCIT community informing them of the HKG decision to upgrade
the response level, precautions to take, and where to go for
official updates and authoritative information. Post has
reached out to contacts in the HKG and Hong Kong's medical
community and continues to actively monitor the situation.
MARUT
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR CA/OCS/EAP, M/PRI FOR ROBIN MORRITZ, SES-O FOR
ELIAS PARRA, AAIT, OESIHA, MED, HHS FOR OGHA - STEIGER,
HICKEY, CEC ATLANTA FOR CCID AND COGH
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMED AMGT ASEC CASC KFLU KPAO KSEO TBIO HK CH
SUBJECT: HONG KONG SWINE FLU RESPONSE
REF: STATE 41768
1. (SBU) In response to the Swine Flu outbreak in Mexico and
cases in the U.S. and other countries, on April 26 Hong Kong
raised its 3-tier pandemic response level from Tier-1,
"Alert", to Tier-2, "Serious". Hong Kong's move is
precautionary and follows established protocols. There have
been no reported or suspected cases of Swine Flu in Hong Kong
to date. This response-level change provides the legal basis
for increased health screenings at ports-of-entry and
additional authority to quarantine arriving passengers with
an identifiable fever or exhibiting flu-like symptoms. The
government has also issued a health advisory suggesting that
individuals planning travel to areas of known Swine Flu
activity consider altering their travel plans and
recommending, if they do travel, passengers take precautions
to lessen the risk of exposure. As of April 27,
HKG-identified locations of Swine Flu concern include Mexico,
California, Kansas, Texas, New York, Ohio, and the Canadian
Provinces of Nova Scotia and British Columbia.
2. (SBU) Responding to Department guidance (REFTEL) and the
HKG pandemic influenza response level change, Post's Avian
Influenza Working Group (AIWG) met on April 27 to review
pandemic influenza tripwires and discuss additional possible
courses of action. All Post preparations, including
recommended levels of medical supplies, were in order. Post
has sent out notices to both Consulate General staff and the
AMCIT community informing them of the HKG decision to upgrade
the response level, precautions to take, and where to go for
official updates and authoritative information. Post has
reached out to contacts in the HKG and Hong Kong's medical
community and continues to actively monitor the situation.
MARUT