C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000530

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, OES/IHB, AIAG
STATE PASS TO AID
HHS FOR ASPR/OMSPH, ASPR/IO, OS
HHS PASS TO CDC
USDA PASS TO APHIS
AMMAN FOR ESTH HUB OFFICER
BAGHDAD FOR POL-MIL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/25/2019
TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC AMED CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO
PREL, PINR, AMGT, TF, KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT: 18 U.S. MILITARY H1N1 CASES MADE PUBLIC;
DEFENSE MINISTRY THREATENS RESTRICTIONS; HEALTH MINISTRY
FORESTALLS PANIC

REF: A. KUWAIT 527

B. KUWAIT 515

C. KUWAIT 498

D. KUWAIT 455

E. KUWAIT 449

Classified By: DCM Alan Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: News of 18 confirmed H1N1 cases among U.S.
military personnel in Kuwait dominated newspaper headlines
and TV news shows on May 24 and 25 (ref A). The Ministry of
Health moved promptly to stymie panic, including holding a
well-received press conference on May 24. Separately, Kuwait
military officers told U.S. military counterparts that they
may consider limiting the flow of U.S. troops in and out of
U.S. bases in Kuwait, which would have negative consequences
for U.S. military operations in Iraq. Ministry of Health
officials visited Camp Buehring May 25 and voiced
satisfaction with procedures in place for screening,
isolating and treating cases. Post informed the Ministry May
24 of 47 new confirmed H1N1 cases among U.S. military
personnel in Kuwait; the acting Health Minister has opted not
to announce the new cases for the time being. End Summary.

MOH REACTS TO PREVENT PANIC
--------------


2. (C) Following publication of an article in the
Fayetteville Observer May 22, citing a CENTCOM spokeswoman
confirming 18 confirmed H1N1 cases among U.S. military in
Kuwait, local media picked up on the story on the afternoon

of May 23. The news of the 18 confirmed cases dominated
local newspapers' front pages on May 24 and 25 (ref A). The
Kuwait Ministry of Health moved quickly to forestall panic,
issuing multiple statements on May 23 and 24 stating that
Kuwait is safe from the H1N1 virus and that the isolated
nature of U.S. military bases renders transfer of the virus
to the local population all but impossible. These, and other
reassuring statements -- including references to
"transparent" coordination between GOK and USG -- were
emphasized at a press conference on May 24. (Note: the
Ministry's leadership is aware of the 47 new confirmed cases
but acting Minister Dr. Moudhi Al-Homoud has indicated to
Ambassador that she intends not to announce the new cases for
the time being, given local political sensitivities. These
sensitivities were reflected in a widely circulated cartoon
showing a face-masked Kuwaiti looking worriedly at Kuwait's
border screening requirements for H1N1 while a smiling U.S.
soldier holds a pig on a leash behind him. Post's press
guidance does not mention numbers, based on the tacit
understanding that the GOK will take the lead in announcing
such figures. End Note).


3. (C) Three senior Ministry officials, accompanied by
Embassy staff, visited Camp Buehring -- the location of the
confirmed 18 cases -- on May 25. The officials signaled
their satisfaction with procedures in place for screening,
isolating and treating suspected and confirmed cases of H1N1
influenza, though they subsequently voiced concern about
civilian contractors being exposed to the virus. Senior
ARCENT officers facilitated and led the tour of the base's
medical, intake, isolation and dining facilities. Ministry
officials later told econoff that they provided a positive
assessment of the visit to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

MOD THREATENS TO LIMIT TROOP FLOWS
--------------


4. (C) Senior GOK Ministry of Defense officials told senior
U.S. military officers May 25 that they may consider limiting
the flow of personnel in and out of one or more U.S. military
bases in Kuwait, as a means of preventing the possible spread
of the H1N1 virus to the Kuwait population. (Note:
Significant restrictions on U.S. troop flows in and out of
Iraq via Kuwait could have damaging consequences for current
and future U.S. operations in Iraq. End Note). Embassy is

KUWAIT 00000530 002 OF 002


awaiting the outcome of an internal Ministry of Health
meeting held May 26. Minister Al-Homoud informed Ambassador
the evening of May 25 that they were contemplating next
steps, such as sending Tamiflu to the bases for soldiers'
use. While neither confirming nor denying other reports that
the GOK was considering restricting the entry of U.S. troops,
the Minister asked pointedly why troops were not being
screened prior to departing the U.S. for bases overseas.


5. (U) On May 25, WHO formally listed Kuwait as one of 46
countries with confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza.

COMMENT
--------------


5. (C) Obviously, any GOK decision to restrict U.S. troop
flows in and through Kuwait is of immense concern. While we
do not believe this draconian measure has been decided,
nonetheless high-level CENTCOM engagement will go a long way
toward reassuring the Kuwaiti military of our own stringent
safeguards to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus in Kuwait.
Separately, we would note the Ministry of Health's prompt
and responsible moves to forestall panic among citizens and
residents of the first Arab country to have confirmed cases
of H1N1 influenza on its soil (UAE and Bahrain have since
announced confirmed cases). Coordination between Post and
the Ministry of Health has been excellent throughout.
Ambassador has advised Minister Al-Homoud that the GOK will
need to release information about the 47 new confirmed cases
in conjunction with HHS notification to the WHO. End Comment.

********************************************* *********
For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit:
visit Kuwait's Classified Website at:

http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Kuwa it
********************************************* *********
JONES