Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KUALALUMPUR319
2009-04-28 12:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Cable title:  

MGSF01: Malaysia's Response to Global Swine Flu

Tags:  KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0853
RR RUEHAST RUEHCHI RUEHDH RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHNH RUEHPB
RUEHPOD RUEHTM RUEHTRO
DE RUEHKL #0319/01 1181218
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 281218Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2655
INFO RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1706
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC
RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUALA LUMPUR 000319 

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFED

SIPDIS

STATE FOR CA/OCS/EAP
STATE FOR M/PRI FOR RMORRITZ
STATE FOR S/ES-O/CMS FOR EPARRA
STATE FOR EAP/MTS FOR DBISCHOF
STATE FOR OES/AIAG FOR AMBASSSADOR LOFTIS, DWINN AND CPATTERSON
STATE FOR REO/BKK FOR HHOWARD
STATE FOR OES/IHA, AAIT, MED
PASS TO HHS FOR OGHA STEIGER AND HICKEY
PASS TO CDC ATLANTA FOR CCID AND COGH
PASS TO USDA FOR APHIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR
AMGT, MG
SUBJECT: MGSF01: Malaysia's Response to Global Swine Flu
Outbreak--End-of-Day Report #1

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUALA LUMPUR 000319

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFED

SIPDIS

STATE FOR CA/OCS/EAP
STATE FOR M/PRI FOR RMORRITZ
STATE FOR S/ES-O/CMS FOR EPARRA
STATE FOR EAP/MTS FOR DBISCHOF
STATE FOR OES/AIAG FOR AMBASSSADOR LOFTIS, DWINN AND CPATTERSON
STATE FOR REO/BKK FOR HHOWARD
STATE FOR OES/IHA, AAIT, MED
PASS TO HHS FOR OGHA STEIGER AND HICKEY
PASS TO CDC ATLANTA FOR CCID AND COGH
PASS TO USDA FOR APHIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR
AMGT, MG
SUBJECT: MGSF01: Malaysia's Response to Global Swine Flu
Outbreak--End-of-Day Report #1


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Malaysian government on April 27 placed the
country on "high alert" to fully monitor the flu's spread in
country. The Malaysian Ministry of Health has been working closely
with World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure that proactive
measures are being taken to protect the health of the public.
Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai stated that so far no cases have been
reported to the Health Ministry. However, Liow issued a directive
for all health practitioners to report to local district health
offices patients with symptoms of influenza-like illness and/or
severe pneumonia who had visited Mexico, California or Texas after
April 17. In addition, the Ministry of Health began placing health
officers at all travel entry points in Malaysia to screen travelers
suspected of carrying the illness. Travelers arriving from Latin
American countries are being manually screened, while all other
international passengers are required to complete health declaration
forms. In addition, thermo scanners will be placed at international
ports of entry within three days. Local newspapers report that the
Health Ministry has advised Malaysians against travelling to Canada,
Mexico and selected US states. Meanwhile, the local Federation of
Livestock Farmers' Association of Malaysia urged the government of
Malaysia (GOM) to stop all pork imports. The Veterinary Services
Director-General, however, reminded the public that Swine Flu cannot
be spread by eating pork.



2. (SBU) COMMENT: According to WHO officials in country, the
government of Malaysia's (GOM) response thus far to the
international health situation has been "very good." Both MOH and
WHO officials claimed that lessons learned from SARS cases in 2004
had taught the GOM to be proactive in its response to the current
influenza outbreak. Embassy is in daily communication with key GOM
officials responsible for managing Malaysia's response to this
international health situation. END SUMMARY AND COMMENT.

Ministry of Health Begins Passenger Screening
-------------- -


3. (U) Both the MOH and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)
Operating agency, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd., are collaborating
with Malaysia's Immigration Department to monitor passengers
arriving from Mexico via the U.S. and Europe. Currently, Malaysia
does not have any direct flights to or from Mexico. Beginning on
April 27, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) established
a special docking bay and waiting lounge for flights originating
from New York City and Los Angeles. KLIA Sr. General Manager of
Operations Mr. Azmi Murad told ESTHOff that KLIA began monitoring
passengers arriving from the U.S. the morning of April 27, including
passengers originating from New York City and Los Angeles.
Passengers arriving from international destinations from Latin
American countries are being manually screened by health officials,
while all other passengers arriving from international destinations
are only required to complete health declaration forms, which
includes information regarding past travel and health condition over
the past ten days. According to news reports, thermal scanners will
be placed at international airports to speed up the screening
process within three days. In addition, the Malaysian government
plans to procure seven new thermal scanners capable of mass
screening.

GOM Advises Against Travel to U.S., Canada and Mexico
-------------- --------------


4. (U) The Health Ministry has advised Malaysians against traveling
to selected U.S. states, Canada, and Mexico, starting April 27.
Health Minister Liow stated that "although the World Health
Organization (WHO) has not called for any sanction in travel or
trade with [the aforementioned] affected countries, I would like to
advise all Malaysians against travelling to these places." Liow
emphasized, however, that while H1N1-related deaths have been
reported in Mexico, no swine flu-related deaths have been reported
in the U.S. or Canada.


KUALA LUMP 00000319 002 OF 002


Directive to Report ILI Cases to Health Ministry
-------------- ---


5. (U) Liow issued a directive to all public and private medical
practitioners to report to district health offices any patient
recently treated for influenza-like illness (ILI) or severe
pneumonia symptoms who also recently travelled to one or more of the
countries with reported cases of H1N1 after April 17. Liow added
that patients who test positive for the H1N1 virus would be
quarantined and treated at Putrajaya and Serdang hospitals, both
located 30km outside of Kuala Lumpur in the federal administrative
capital of Malaysia.

Limits to Pork Importation Advised by Industry Group
-------------- --------------


6. (U) The local Federation of Livestock Farmers' Association of
Malaysia has urged the GOM to stop all pork imports. However, the
Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Director-General Dr. Abd
Aziz Jamaluddin reminded the public that swine flu cannot be spread
by eating pork. Meanwhile, Abd Aziz suggested that the H1N1 vaccine
should be injected into pigs as a preventive measure and is
currently awaiting clearance from the Health Ministry to do so.
Thus far, DVS has not received any reports of swine flu symptoms
among livestock in the Malaysia.

Post Activities: Warden Message and Town Hall Meeting
-------------- --------------


7. (SBU) Post issued an Embassy-wide Notice alerting staff of recent
developments surrounding H1N1, per ALDAC guidance April 26. The
Management Notice included information on personal hygiene practices
to prevent the spread of influenza-like illnesses. A Town Hall
meeting with Embassy staff and dependents will be held on the
morning of April 29. The Consular Section has forwarded the Mexico
City Travel Alert as Post's Warden Message to Americans in Malaysia.
The section is currently clearing with Consular Affairs a Warden
Message with information specific to Malaysia. MedOff distributed a
First Aid Survey soliciting volunteers for a Pandemic Response Team,
and other RSO/MED volunteer needs, as well as conducted a complete
inventory of PPE and found that supplies were adequate.

KEITH