AFGHAN GOVERNMENT DECLARES H1N1 STATE OF EMERGENCY

UNCLAS KABUL 003502 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR S/SRAP, SCA/FO, SCA/RA, SCA/A, M/MED E.O. 12958 N/A TAGS: SENV KFLU KSTH EAID PREL WHO AF SUBJECT: AFGHAN GOVERNMENT DECLARES H1N1 STATE OF EMERGENCY REF: STATE 111924 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Afghanistan's Second Vice President Mohammad Karim Khalili declared a H1N1 state of emergency November 1 and announced all schools and universities will close for three weeks to prevent further spread of the disease. More than 20 new cases of H1N1 have been reported in the last two weeks. The Afghan Government has 51,000 doses of Tamiflu that have already been distributed to health care providers and has asked the international community for more. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) In a meeting with ministers and donors, Minister of Public Health Sayed Fatemie said 321 total cases of H1N1 flu have been reported in Afghanistan, including 271 cases among ISAF personnel, who have recovered. (Note: while suspected cases among ISAF personnel may be in this range, confirmed cases are substantially lower.) A 35-year-old man died October 28, the first Afghan fatality from H1N1. Three of his family members contracted the disease, as well as three medical providers in the hospital where he was treated. The surge in reported cases led the government to declare a three-week state of emergency. In addition to school closures, Fatemie said the government will ask Afghans to limit large gatherings such as weddings and encourage people to stay home if they are feeling sick. Afghan media were present at the meeting and reported on the state of emergency. Media reports said there are 551 cases of suspected H1N1 flu. ¶3. (SBU) The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has approximately 51,000 doses of Tamiflu that it has distributed to around 100 health facilities in eight regions of the country. If there is a serious H1N1 outbreak, MPH estimates it will need 270,000 doses to treat patients. It has asked USAID and other donors for Tamiflu, the H1N1 vaccine, beds, blankets and hospital equipment to cope with the outbreak. MOPH estimates it needs $125 million from donors to address this epidemic, including $61 million to combat this first outbreak. (Note: Afghanistan is eligible to receive U.S.-donated H1N1 vaccines through the World Health Organization. USAID provided MOPH 35,000 seasonal influenza vaccines for Hajj pilgrims starting October 14, but media erroneously reported the vaccines were for H1N1. End note.) ¶4. (SBU) Post is in close touch with MOPH, as well as maintaining our close liaison with ISAF, and is evaluating ways to provide assistance. EIKENBERRY