Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09HONGKONG785
2009-04-29 09:43:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Hong Kong
Cable title:  

HONG KONG H1N1 UPDATE - NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE

Tags:  AEMR AMGT ASEC CASC KFLO KFLU KPAO KSAF MG 
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VZCZCXRO1762
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHHK #0785 1190943
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 290943Z APR 09
FM AMCONSUL HONG KONG
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7506
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA PRIORITY
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
UNCLAS HONG KONG 000785 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR MGSW01, CA/OCS/EAP, M/PRI, SES-O, AAIT, OESIHA,
MED, HHS FOR OGHA, CDC ATLANTA FOR CCID AND COGH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR AMGT ASEC CASC KFLO KFLU KPAO KSAF MG
PINR, PREL, TBIO, HK, CH
SUBJECT: HONG KONG H1N1 UPDATE - NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE

REF: HONG KONG 0768

UNCLAS HONG KONG 000785

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR MGSW01, CA/OCS/EAP, M/PRI, SES-O, AAIT, OESIHA,
MED, HHS FOR OGHA, CDC ATLANTA FOR CCID AND COGH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR AMGT ASEC CASC KFLO KFLU KPAO KSAF MG
PINR, PREL, TBIO, HK, CH
SUBJECT: HONG KONG H1N1 UPDATE - NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE

REF: HONG KONG 0768


1. (SBU) Hong Kong's preparedness level remains unchanged at
an elevated Tier 2 or "Serious" response level for Pandemic
Influenza (PI) (REFTEL) and Hong Kong health authorities
continue to closely monitor arrivals at all border crossings
and international terminals. All arriving passengers transit
passive infra-red screening for signs of elevated temperature
or other illness. There have been no reported confirmed or
suspect cases of H1N1 in Hong Kong to date.


2. (SBU) Hong Kong health authorities designated H1N1 as a
reportable illness on April 27 and since then have placed
seven individuals meeting the initial criteria in isolation
pending further tests. Three of these individuals have been
cleared, one of which was positive for human influenza
subtype H3; four individuals remain in isolation pending H1N1
test results. Hong Kong authorities openly speculate the
H1N1 outbreak will reach Hong Kong and are preparing the
public for its arrival. On April 28, Secretary for Health
York Chow announced that if a student is found positive for
H1N1, public schools will close. He also noted that 1,400
public hospital isolation beds have been prepared. Hong Kong
media outlets are widely monitoring and reporting progress of
the H1N1 outbreak and an advisory remains in effect
recommending residents avoid non-essential travel to
confirmed H1N1-reported areas.


3. (SBU) Hong Kong's Hang Seng index lost 2.74% on Monday
(April 27) and another 1.92% on Tuesday (April 28) as
investors reduced exposure to the Hong Kong market. These
drops were in line with recent activity, however, and the
market recovered some of the lost ground on Wednesday (April
29) gaining 2.76%. Consulate General Hong Kong notes only
limited anecdotal evidence that some Hong Kong residents are
delaying or reconsidering travel to the U.S.; there has been
no drop in visa or ACS services. Post will continue to
closely monitor developments, and will remain in close
contact with HKG officials and the local medical community.
MARUT