TFFLU01: MALAYSIA H1N1 UPDATE - MAY 6, 2009

UNCLAS KUALA LUMPUR 000336 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 AMED CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR, AMGT, TF SUBJECT: TFFLU01: MALAYSIA H1N1 UPDATE - MAY 6, 2009 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Malaysia has no reported human H1N1 cases. Four potential cases have already been tested and cleared. Post delivered a demarche to the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industries and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry requesting a reconsideration of the current "freeze" on pork imports from the U.S. Ministry of Health (MOH) staff confirmed to ESTHoff that Minister Liow is currently planning on attending the ASEAN+3 Health Ministers meeting in Bangkok on May 7. END SUMMARY. MOH Screening and Testing -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Flu screening continues primarily at international airports where thermal imaging scanners have been installed. The scanners are calibrated to flag any passenger with a temperature of more than 38 degrees Celsius. All flights originating from infected countries are being screened. So far, twenty flights and more than 8,000 passengers have been screened. Additionally, 91 land passengers and 461 sea passengers have undergone manual screening at other ports of entry. ¶3. (SBU) Malaysia has now had a total of four individuals who have undergone further virology testing. Most recently, a Malaysian man returned to Sarawak on May 1 from a trip to the U.S. He voluntarily sought treatment at a private hospital and was sent to Ministry of Health-run Sarawak General Hospital. He was tested and released after a negative result. MOH officials stated his family and close contacts will also be tested. This was the first suspected case in East Malaysia. Previously, a Malaysian woman was placed under home quarantine on May 3 despite showing no symptoms. She had traveled on the same flight as a Mexican passenger who is now the sole confirmed positive case in Hong Kong. Also, a New Zealand man was quarantined, tested and released in Penang on May 2. The first suspected case in Malaysia was screened at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on April 29 with a fever. All four cases were tested and received negative results for Influenza A within six hours. Pork Import Freeze -------------- ¶4. (SBU) FAS Attache delivered a demarche to Dr. Abdul Aziz, Director General of the Department of Veterinary Services, and to the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industries requesting a reconsideration of the current "freeze" on pork imports from the U.S. Econcouns delivered the same request to Dr. Rebecca, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. There has been no response from the GOM. Post will continue to follow-up. KEITH