Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KINGSTON496
2009-06-22 17:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kingston
Cable title:
JAMAICA: H1N1 14 CONFIRMED CASES, STATUS REPORT
how-toVZCZCXRO6034 RR RUEHAST RUEHDH RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHPB RUEHPOD RUEHSL RUEHTM RUEHTRO DE RUEHKG #0496 1731759 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 221759Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7765 INFO RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA
UNCLAS KINGSTON 000496
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT PASS EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE FOR INFO
STATE FOR WHA/CAR (DHOFFMANN) (VDEPIRRO) (WSMITH)
WHA/EPSC (MROONEY)(FCORNEILLE)
STATE FOR OES
HHS FOR OGHA
CDC ATLANTA FOR CCID AND COGH
USDA FOR APHIS
INR/RES (RWARNER)
SANTO DOMINGO FOR FCS AND FAS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC TBIO SOCI PREL PINR KFLU XL JM
SUBJECT: JAMAICA: H1N1 14 CONFIRMED CASES, STATUS REPORT
REF: KINSTON 445
Two Cases of Internal Transmission
-----------------------------
UNCLAS KINGSTON 000496
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT PASS EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE FOR INFO
STATE FOR WHA/CAR (DHOFFMANN) (VDEPIRRO) (WSMITH)
WHA/EPSC (MROONEY)(FCORNEILLE)
STATE FOR OES
HHS FOR OGHA
CDC ATLANTA FOR CCID AND COGH
USDA FOR APHIS
INR/RES (RWARNER)
SANTO DOMINGO FOR FCS AND FAS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC TBIO SOCI PREL PINR KFLU XL JM
SUBJECT: JAMAICA: H1N1 14 CONFIRMED CASES, STATUS REPORT
REF: KINSTON 445
Two Cases of Internal Transmission
--------------
1. (SBU) The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) has confirmed fourteen
cases of influenza A (H1N1) on the island. The first two cases were
from two people who arrived from New York on May 19 (reftel). In
the first week of June, five cases were detected, all related to
people who traveled from the United States. Last week, the Ministry
of Health's (MOH) confirmed several more cases, bringing the total
number of detected and treated H1N1 cases to fourteen. EconOff
spoke with Dr. Sandra Knight of the MOH on June 22; she said that at
least two of the cases were internal transitions spread from contact
on the island, as the individuals had not traveled recently.
No Deaths, Continued Monitoring
--------------
2. (SBU) There have been no deaths associated with H1N1 in Jamaica.
Testing of suspected cases is being done at the University of the
West Indies. The MOH have been testing 362 samples, 129 from
suspected cases of H1N1, and continue to watch for any further
spread of the virus. The virus has now been detected in the
parishes of St. Mary, St. James, Trelawny and St. Catherine.
Existing Supplies
--------------
3. (SBU) In light of the H1N1 cases, the MOH has procured more
protective gear for its workers. Dr. Marion Bullock DuCasse,
Director of Emergency Disaster Management at the MOH, indicated to
the press that the MOH is continuing to ensure that stocks are not
depleted as healthcare workers continue to investigate persons with
flu-like symptoms. Dr. Knight said the Government of Mexico had
provided the MOH with 3,500 treatments of Tamiflu and an additional
3,500 treatments had been provided by Pan American health
Organization.
Supplies Needed and Comment
--------------
4. Dr. Knight said that the MOH currently needs additional supplies
of N95 masks and swabs for testing suspected cases. In the event
that there is a larger outbreak they would need these two items as
well as a supply of disposable gowns. COMMENT: The Jamaican economy
continues suffer under global economic downturn and is heavily
reliant on tourism revenues from the tourism. The GOJ will likely
remain cautious about negative press related to flu outbreaks on the
island, fearing it could hurt tourism. END COMMENT.
MOSS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT PASS EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE FOR INFO
STATE FOR WHA/CAR (DHOFFMANN) (VDEPIRRO) (WSMITH)
WHA/EPSC (MROONEY)(FCORNEILLE)
STATE FOR OES
HHS FOR OGHA
CDC ATLANTA FOR CCID AND COGH
USDA FOR APHIS
INR/RES (RWARNER)
SANTO DOMINGO FOR FCS AND FAS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC TBIO SOCI PREL PINR KFLU XL JM
SUBJECT: JAMAICA: H1N1 14 CONFIRMED CASES, STATUS REPORT
REF: KINSTON 445
Two Cases of Internal Transmission
--------------
1. (SBU) The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) has confirmed fourteen
cases of influenza A (H1N1) on the island. The first two cases were
from two people who arrived from New York on May 19 (reftel). In
the first week of June, five cases were detected, all related to
people who traveled from the United States. Last week, the Ministry
of Health's (MOH) confirmed several more cases, bringing the total
number of detected and treated H1N1 cases to fourteen. EconOff
spoke with Dr. Sandra Knight of the MOH on June 22; she said that at
least two of the cases were internal transitions spread from contact
on the island, as the individuals had not traveled recently.
No Deaths, Continued Monitoring
--------------
2. (SBU) There have been no deaths associated with H1N1 in Jamaica.
Testing of suspected cases is being done at the University of the
West Indies. The MOH have been testing 362 samples, 129 from
suspected cases of H1N1, and continue to watch for any further
spread of the virus. The virus has now been detected in the
parishes of St. Mary, St. James, Trelawny and St. Catherine.
Existing Supplies
--------------
3. (SBU) In light of the H1N1 cases, the MOH has procured more
protective gear for its workers. Dr. Marion Bullock DuCasse,
Director of Emergency Disaster Management at the MOH, indicated to
the press that the MOH is continuing to ensure that stocks are not
depleted as healthcare workers continue to investigate persons with
flu-like symptoms. Dr. Knight said the Government of Mexico had
provided the MOH with 3,500 treatments of Tamiflu and an additional
3,500 treatments had been provided by Pan American health
Organization.
Supplies Needed and Comment
--------------
4. Dr. Knight said that the MOH currently needs additional supplies
of N95 masks and swabs for testing suspected cases. In the event
that there is a larger outbreak they would need these two items as
well as a supply of disposable gowns. COMMENT: The Jamaican economy
continues suffer under global economic downturn and is heavily
reliant on tourism revenues from the tourism. The GOJ will likely
remain cautious about negative press related to flu outbreaks on the
island, fearing it could hurt tourism. END COMMENT.
MOSS