HONG KONG H1N1 UPDATE (5/15): CG PUSHES BACK WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HONG KONG 000899 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR TFFLUO1M CA/OCS/EP, M/PRI/SES-O, AAIT, OESIHA, MED, HHS FOR OGHA, CDC ATLANTA FOR CCID AND COUGH E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2019 TAGS: AEMR AMGT ASEC CASC KFLO KFLU KPAO KSAF MG PINR, PREL, TBIO, HK, CH SUBJECT: HONG KONG H1N1 UPDATE (5/15): CG PUSHES BACK WITH CE TSANG AND HEALTH SECRETARY +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++ HONG KONG 00000899 001.2 OF 002 ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR MESSAGE CORRECTED AND RETRANSMITTED UNDER NEW MRN +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++ HONG KONG 00000899 002 OF 002 the Consul General thanking them for their concern and emphasizing how seriously the USG was taking the H1N1 outbreak. Attached to the CG's note was a document outlining the USG's active responses to date, as well as the WHO's cautions against travel restrictions and the likely ineffectiveness of screening to control the spread of H1N1. Points in this document were drawn from inter-agency cleared guidance. The leader of the demonstration accepted the note with thanks, and proceeded to read aloud to the small crowd and the press the key points from our paper, translating into Cantonese as he went. We then overheard him remark to the crowd that he had "been demonstrating for many years," but had never before received such an immediate and responsive reaction. The crowd then dispersed. DONOVAN