Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LILONGWE568
2009-10-23 10:26:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Lilongwe
Cable title:
MALAWI SWINE FLU UPDATE: FOUR CASES CONFIRMED
how-toVZCZCXRO8158 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHLG #0568 2961026 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 231026Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY LILONGWE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0007 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0408
UNCLAS LILONGWE 000568
SIPDIS
LONDON FOR AF WATCHER PETER LORD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SOCI TBIO AMED MI
SUBJECT: MALAWI SWINE FLU UPDATE: FOUR CASES CONFIRMED
REF: LILONGWE 316
UNCLAS LILONGWE 000568
SIPDIS
LONDON FOR AF WATCHER PETER LORD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SOCI TBIO AMED MI
SUBJECT: MALAWI SWINE FLU UPDATE: FOUR CASES CONFIRMED
REF: LILONGWE 316
1. Summary: Malawi's Ministry of HEALTH has issued a press release
confirming the presence of H1N1 (Swine Flu) in the country. The
release provided public information for detecting and responding to
H1N1 and noted that national HEALTH system was adequately prepared
to respond to new cases. The four reported cases of H1N1 may be a
serious underestimate of the situation in the country. CDC and
other partner institutions will continue to work with the MoH to
address these problems. End summary.
2. On Thursday, October 22, the Malawi Ministry of HEALTH (MoH)
issued a press release regarding the presence of influenza H1N1
(Swine Flu) in the country. The MoH stated that there have been
four confirmed cases of H1N1 in Malawi. ONE was a traveler
returning from South Africa, while the other three were all from a
single school in northern Malawi and had not been traveling. The
MoH reported that all four patients have since recovered and are in
good health.
3. The MoH press release provided basic advice to avoid contracting
H1N1, and noted that most H1N1 symptoms are the same as other
seasonal influenza. The release identified the distinguishing signs
of H1N1 and advised anyone experiencing these symptoms to seek
medical care.
4. The release stated that the MoH had procured adequate supplies
of Tamiflu, and that national HEALTH workers were sufficiently
trained and briefed to handle H1N1 cases. While acknowledging that
H1N1 constitutes a continuing public HEALTH problem, the MoH
stressed that the situation is under control. The release noted
that the MoH was working in cooperation with the WHO, CDC, and
UNICEF.
5. Comment: The MoH began investigating a flu-like illness at the
affected secondary school in early September, and had lab results
from South Africa confirming H1N1 infection by the second week of
September. The results have not been made public until the press
statement today, nearly five weeks after MoH received the results.
This reflects problems in the MoH clearance process for public
documents and an inability to respond quickly to public HEALTH
situations such as presented by these cases. The disease
surveillance system remains very weak and there is currently no
laboratory capacity to test samples in country. The four reported
cases of H1N1 may be a serious underestimate of the situation in the
country. CDC and other partner institutions will continue to work
with the MoH to address these problems.
BODDE
SIPDIS
LONDON FOR AF WATCHER PETER LORD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SOCI TBIO AMED MI
SUBJECT: MALAWI SWINE FLU UPDATE: FOUR CASES CONFIRMED
REF: LILONGWE 316
1. Summary: Malawi's Ministry of HEALTH has issued a press release
confirming the presence of H1N1 (Swine Flu) in the country. The
release provided public information for detecting and responding to
H1N1 and noted that national HEALTH system was adequately prepared
to respond to new cases. The four reported cases of H1N1 may be a
serious underestimate of the situation in the country. CDC and
other partner institutions will continue to work with the MoH to
address these problems. End summary.
2. On Thursday, October 22, the Malawi Ministry of HEALTH (MoH)
issued a press release regarding the presence of influenza H1N1
(Swine Flu) in the country. The MoH stated that there have been
four confirmed cases of H1N1 in Malawi. ONE was a traveler
returning from South Africa, while the other three were all from a
single school in northern Malawi and had not been traveling. The
MoH reported that all four patients have since recovered and are in
good health.
3. The MoH press release provided basic advice to avoid contracting
H1N1, and noted that most H1N1 symptoms are the same as other
seasonal influenza. The release identified the distinguishing signs
of H1N1 and advised anyone experiencing these symptoms to seek
medical care.
4. The release stated that the MoH had procured adequate supplies
of Tamiflu, and that national HEALTH workers were sufficiently
trained and briefed to handle H1N1 cases. While acknowledging that
H1N1 constitutes a continuing public HEALTH problem, the MoH
stressed that the situation is under control. The release noted
that the MoH was working in cooperation with the WHO, CDC, and
UNICEF.
5. Comment: The MoH began investigating a flu-like illness at the
affected secondary school in early September, and had lab results
from South Africa confirming H1N1 infection by the second week of
September. The results have not been made public until the press
statement today, nearly five weeks after MoH received the results.
This reflects problems in the MoH clearance process for public
documents and an inability to respond quickly to public HEALTH
situations such as presented by these cases. The disease
surveillance system remains very weak and there is currently no
laboratory capacity to test samples in country. The four reported
cases of H1N1 may be a serious underestimate of the situation in the
country. CDC and other partner institutions will continue to work
with the MoH to address these problems.
BODDE