Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KARACHI151
2009-05-01 02:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Karachi
Cable title:
KARACHI - AIRLINES ALERTED TO CHECK FOR H1N1 AT KARACHI
how-toVZCZCXRO3993 RR RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHKP #0151/01 1210248 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 010248Z MAY 09 FM AMCONSUL KARACHI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1056 INFO RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0514 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0323 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0281 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1871 RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE 2730 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR 4613 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KARACHI 000151
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR TBIO SOCI EAID PK
SUBJECT: KARACHI - AIRLINES ALERTED TO CHECK FOR H1N1 AT KARACHI
JINNAH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Summary
-----------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KARACHI 000151
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR TBIO SOCI EAID PK
SUBJECT: KARACHI - AIRLINES ALERTED TO CHECK FOR H1N1 AT KARACHI
JINNAH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) While there are currently no reported cases of H1N1
"swine flu" in Pakistan, the government is beginning preparations in
case the virus arrives via international travelers. The Pakistan
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has increased monitoring of inbound
passengers to check for those with exposure to or showing symptoms
of the deadly virus. Health experts warn, however, that if the
virus reaches Pakistan, the country is ill prepared to identify the
virus and treat infected patients. End Summary.
Monitoring at Karachi Airport
--------------
2. (SBU) Karachi Jinnah International Airport, Pakistan's busiest
airport, receives 25 international flights per day, mainly from the
transit hubs of Bangkok, Dubai, and Qatar. The CAA announced that
all inbound international passengers will be monitored for symptoms
of H1N1, particularly those arriving from infected destinations and
the transit hubs. The Authority further instructed airline crews to
be vigilant, and to report passengers exhibiting symptoms, such as
incessant coughing and fever, to airport officials. The CAA, in
conjunction with the Director General of Health, is making
arrangements to meet any arriving passenger suspected of carrying
the virus. News reports, however, quote CAA officials as saying
nothing is being done, and passengers who did not notice any
screening. (Note: The Director General of Health was quoted in the
press as saying Pakistan was at low risk because the disease is
spread mostly from pigs and there are no pig farms in the country.
End Note.) Health experts also warned of the need to contain the
virus to the airport, due to the lack of adequate treatment
facilities in Karachi.
3. (SBU) Airport Manager Ashfaq Ahmad confirmed that airports in
Pakistan have made emergency arrangements to monitor the H1N1, and
that the Ministry of Health is making arrangements in the
eventuality of the disease arriving at an airport. Sindh Health
Department Secretary Mohmad Hussain Syed told Post the provincial
department is working with the federal Ministry of Health in
devising a strategy for a possible outbreak. The provincial
ministry has set up an isolation ward at Karachi Civil Hospital,
and, if needed, will create two more at Liaquat Medical Hospital and
Dr. Ziauddin Hospital. However, Mr. Syed raised concerns,
especially regarding ability to test for and identify the virus, and
also how to treat patients.
Health Experts Express Concern
--------------
4. (SBU) Mr. Syed said that he fears that if the virus arrives in
Karachi, it will spread quickly on the streets, and turn into an
outbreak. Unfortunately, he continued, Pakistan lacks basic
facilities to distinguish between normal flu and H1N1. Other health
officials expressed similar fears. Dr. Afia Zafar, a member of
Infection Control Committee at Aga Khan Hospital, said the health
infrastructure is not sufficient to deal with any eventuality
arising from the spread of the virus. The ability to collect,
transport, and test samples is non-existent. Many government health
facilities lack not just isolation wards, but also preventative
equipment such as gloves and masks. Dr. Shahana UrooJ Kazmi, Dean
Faculty of Microbiology at the University of Karachi, said that
preparedness is almost zero. She expressed an urgent need for H1N1
antigen, antibody vaccine, N95 Masks and lab equipment for testing.
She fears that if the virus reaches the Middle East or India, it
will likely come to Pakistan.
Comment
--------------
5. (SBU) If H1N1 migrates to Pakistan, it will likely arrive in
Karachi first. Government officials are taking action to identify
passengers with the virus and prevent its spread into the general
population. However, Pakistan health facilities are lacking, and
public health experts are in short supply. If the virus arrives, it
may be difficult to treat and control without foreign assistance.
That being said, the GOP can use similar surveillance and tripwires
that it has developed for H5N1 avian influenza. The GOP is much
better prepared for this type of outbreak than it was several years
KARACHI 00000151 002 OF 002
ago before avian influenza spread to Pakistan.
FAKAN
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR TBIO SOCI EAID PK
SUBJECT: KARACHI - AIRLINES ALERTED TO CHECK FOR H1N1 AT KARACHI
JINNAH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) While there are currently no reported cases of H1N1
"swine flu" in Pakistan, the government is beginning preparations in
case the virus arrives via international travelers. The Pakistan
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has increased monitoring of inbound
passengers to check for those with exposure to or showing symptoms
of the deadly virus. Health experts warn, however, that if the
virus reaches Pakistan, the country is ill prepared to identify the
virus and treat infected patients. End Summary.
Monitoring at Karachi Airport
--------------
2. (SBU) Karachi Jinnah International Airport, Pakistan's busiest
airport, receives 25 international flights per day, mainly from the
transit hubs of Bangkok, Dubai, and Qatar. The CAA announced that
all inbound international passengers will be monitored for symptoms
of H1N1, particularly those arriving from infected destinations and
the transit hubs. The Authority further instructed airline crews to
be vigilant, and to report passengers exhibiting symptoms, such as
incessant coughing and fever, to airport officials. The CAA, in
conjunction with the Director General of Health, is making
arrangements to meet any arriving passenger suspected of carrying
the virus. News reports, however, quote CAA officials as saying
nothing is being done, and passengers who did not notice any
screening. (Note: The Director General of Health was quoted in the
press as saying Pakistan was at low risk because the disease is
spread mostly from pigs and there are no pig farms in the country.
End Note.) Health experts also warned of the need to contain the
virus to the airport, due to the lack of adequate treatment
facilities in Karachi.
3. (SBU) Airport Manager Ashfaq Ahmad confirmed that airports in
Pakistan have made emergency arrangements to monitor the H1N1, and
that the Ministry of Health is making arrangements in the
eventuality of the disease arriving at an airport. Sindh Health
Department Secretary Mohmad Hussain Syed told Post the provincial
department is working with the federal Ministry of Health in
devising a strategy for a possible outbreak. The provincial
ministry has set up an isolation ward at Karachi Civil Hospital,
and, if needed, will create two more at Liaquat Medical Hospital and
Dr. Ziauddin Hospital. However, Mr. Syed raised concerns,
especially regarding ability to test for and identify the virus, and
also how to treat patients.
Health Experts Express Concern
--------------
4. (SBU) Mr. Syed said that he fears that if the virus arrives in
Karachi, it will spread quickly on the streets, and turn into an
outbreak. Unfortunately, he continued, Pakistan lacks basic
facilities to distinguish between normal flu and H1N1. Other health
officials expressed similar fears. Dr. Afia Zafar, a member of
Infection Control Committee at Aga Khan Hospital, said the health
infrastructure is not sufficient to deal with any eventuality
arising from the spread of the virus. The ability to collect,
transport, and test samples is non-existent. Many government health
facilities lack not just isolation wards, but also preventative
equipment such as gloves and masks. Dr. Shahana UrooJ Kazmi, Dean
Faculty of Microbiology at the University of Karachi, said that
preparedness is almost zero. She expressed an urgent need for H1N1
antigen, antibody vaccine, N95 Masks and lab equipment for testing.
She fears that if the virus reaches the Middle East or India, it
will likely come to Pakistan.
Comment
--------------
5. (SBU) If H1N1 migrates to Pakistan, it will likely arrive in
Karachi first. Government officials are taking action to identify
passengers with the virus and prevent its spread into the general
population. However, Pakistan health facilities are lacking, and
public health experts are in short supply. If the virus arrives, it
may be difficult to treat and control without foreign assistance.
That being said, the GOP can use similar surveillance and tripwires
that it has developed for H5N1 avian influenza. The GOP is much
better prepared for this type of outbreak than it was several years
KARACHI 00000151 002 OF 002
ago before avian influenza spread to Pakistan.
FAKAN