MGSF01: Malaysia Response to H1N1-- End-of-Day Report #2

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUALA LUMPUR 000320 SENSITIVE 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/IHB, AAIT, MED HHS FOR OGHA STEIGER AND HICKEY CDC ATLANTA FOR CCID AND COGH USDA FOR APHIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR AMGT, MG SUBJECT: MGSF01: Malaysia Response to H1N1-- End-of-Day Report #2 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The National Influenza Pandemic Planning Committee (NIPPC) affirmed that no suspected H1N1 cases have been reported in Malaysia. The Ministry of Health (MOH) reiterated its travel advisory for Malaysians to postpone unnecessary international travel, especially to affected countries or areas. Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai urged the WHO to ban travelers in Mexico from leaving the country. The Ministry of Health has set up four thermal scanners at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA),but none yet at other international ports of entry. So far, only passengers arriving from the U.S. are being screened, according to a senior MOH official. The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) has halted issuing permits for pork and pork-related products from the United States and other "affected" countries until further notice. Foreign Agricultural Service sent a letter of protest to DVS. We are coordinating with other "affected" country Embassies regarding a possible joint approach to the Malaysians. Post convened a town hall meeting for US and local staff and dependents April 29. We will hold a town hall for the larger American community on April 30. END SUMMARY. GOM Requests WHO Ban Outbound Travel from Mexico -------------- --- ¶2. (U) Health Minister Liow announced that the GOM has "spoken to WHO officials and asked them to stop those in Mexico leaving the country." In a meeting with MOH Disease Division Director Dr. Hasan Abdul Rahman, Post learned that the GOM would like the WHO to recommend that all countries screen departing travelers, not just from Mexico. Pork Ban -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Post's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) contacted the Malaysian Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) on April 29 to verify a press article that said Malaysia had banned pork imports from "affected" countries. The DVS official protested FAS's use of the term "ban," but did verify that DVS will not issue import permits for pork products from the United States, and other affected countries, until further notice. In response, FAS sent a letter on urging DVS to refrain from enacting any import restrictions on U.S. pork and pork products in the "absence of any risk to human or animal health posed by such trade" and in light that the H1N1 virus "has not been isolated or reported in swine." The Federation of Livestock Farmers Association of Malaysia had previously urged the GOM to temporarily freeze pork imports, claiming it was a way to stop the highly contagious swine flu virus from being brought into the country. Ironically, the Malaysian Ministry of Health website cites the WHO and CDC language that pork and pork products do not transmit the virus and are thus safe to eat. The OIE also has stated that "only findings related to the circulation of the [H1N1] virus in pigs in zones of countries having human cases would justify trade measures on the important of pigs from these countries." ¶4. (SBU) The Dutch Embassy informed Post's FAS Attach today that importers of Dutch pork products could not obtain import permits. It appears that all pork exporting countries will be impacted by the GOM's recent decision. However, FAS will verify with the U.S. Meat Export Federation to learn if the organization is aware of anyone who has submitted, or is planning to submit, a request for an import permit. Post recommends a coordinated effort with the EU and other diplomatic missions in Malaysia to protest the GOM's pork ban. Last year, the United States exported about $390,000 of pork products to Malaysia, with about $27,000 more so far in the first two months of ¶2009. Passenger Screening: Limited to KLIA -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Contrary to local press reports, the MOH and immigration departments are only screening passengers arriving from the U.S., and not from any other H1N1 "affected" countries. Moreover, only one international port of entry, the Kuala Lumpur International KUALA LUMP 00000320 002 OF 002 Airport (KLIA),is using thermal scanners to monitor arriving passengers from international destinations. According to CCD Director Hasan, Malaysia has 35 scanners, four of which are currently deployed at KLIA, with the remaining 31 located, but not in use, in Johor Bahru. Aside from KLIA, Malaysia has four other international airports, none of which have thermal scanners. Embassy Holds Town Hall Meeting -------------- ¶6. (U) Ambassador Keith led a town hall meeting April 29 for Embassy staff and dependents to review the nature and scope of the H1N1 flu global outbreak, reiterate appropriate preventative steps staff could take to reduce risks, and go over measures being taken by the USG and the GOM. The Embassy will hold a second town hall meeting April 30 for the American community as a whole. KEITH