MGSF01: HONG KONG H1N1 UPDATE (4/30),NO CONFIRMED

UNCLAS HONG KONG 000799 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 CH HK KFLO KPAO KSAF MG PINR, PREL, TBIO SUBJECT: MGSF01: HONG KONG H1N1 UPDATE (4/30),NO CONFIRMED CASES, TWO IN ISOLATION REF: HONG KONG 0785 ¶1. (SBU) Hong Kong's pandemic flu alert level remained unchanged April 30, at "Serious," despite the WHO's decision to increase its Pandemic Alert phase from 4 to 5 on April 29. Secretary for Health York Chow did, however, announce April 30 that the HKG would "immediately" go to its highest level "Emergency" if the WHO went to phase six or if there were one confirmed H1N1 case in Hong Kong. No confirmed cases have been reported here, though two of seven screened individuals meeting symptom reporting criteria (symptomatic with recent travel to a confirmed H1N1 country or province) remain in isolation pending test results (REFTEL). Information on H1N1 is widely reported in Hong Kong media as it becomes available and many commercial and public buildings have voluntarily instituted stepped-up disinfectant protocols. ¶2. (SBU) In light of the heightened H1N1 alert, Post's Pandemic Influenza Working Group convened for the second time this week on April 30 and carefully reviewed Department and internal tripwires, discussing in detail possible actions. The group agreed Post has not crossed tripwire 2, but is nevertheless taking the following actions, deemed prudent: - All recall rosters and section telephone trees are being reviewed for accuracy and being redistributed to staff. - Health Unit staff are visiting each section in each of Post's four facilities to review disinfection and virus safety protocols with staff. - Post's char force has been instructed to begin heightened routine bio-protection cleaning protocols; procedures for assisting visitors who appear ill are being reviewed with both Post's guard force and staff. MARUT