Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09HONGKONG799
2009-04-30 10:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Hong Kong
Cable title:
MGSF01: HONG KONG H1N1 UPDATE (4/30),NO CONFIRMED
how-toVZCZCXRO3062 OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC DE RUEHHK #0799 1201022 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 301022Z APR 09 FM AMCONSUL HONG KONG TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7523 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 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
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
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