Embassy Kuala Lumpur?s EAC Convenes

UNCLAS KUALA LUMPUR 000317 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR CA/OCS/EAP STATE FOR M/PRI FOR RMORRITZ STATE FOR S/ES-O/CMS EPARRA, AAIT, OESIHA, MED STATE FOR EAP/MTS DBISCHOF STATE FOR OES/AIAG DWINN AND CPATTERSON STATE FOR REO/BKK HHOWARD PASS TO HHS FOR OGHA STEIGER AND HICKEY PASS TO CDC ATLANTA FOR CCID AND COGH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT AMED CASC TBIO ASEC KFLU KSAF KSEO, KPAO SUBJECT: Embassy Kuala Lumpur?s EAC Convenes Regarding Swine Flu REF: STATE 41768 ¶1. (SBU) In response to the H1N1 outbreak in Mexico and reported cases in the U.S. and other countries and Department guidance (reftel),Embassy's Emergency Action Committee (EAC) convened on April 27 to review Post?s contingency plans and tripwires and the government of Malaysia?s (GOM) pandemic preparedness activities. The Medical Officer briefed the EAC on current medical information available from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO),while the ESTHOff shared information regarding the GOM?s response to overseas cases of H1N1 (see septel). All Post preparations, including recommended levels of medical supplies, were in order. Post has issued a Management Notice to the Embassy community informing them of the upgrade in the WHO pandemic phase level, precautions to take, and where to go for official updates and authoritative information. We understand that a travel advisory is being prepared in the Department. Upon receipt, Post will send a warden message to the private American community in Malaysia. We are planning on holding town halls shortly. ¶2. (SBU) Post has also reached out to contacts within the GOM at the Ministry of Health and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport as well as at the WHO. We will continue to actively monitor the situation in Malaysia including screening procedures of passengers and restrictions on Malaysian travel to countries with confirmed swine flu cases. Post has started an end-of-day message updating on key developments locally on swine flu and Mission actions. KEITH