MGSF01: SWINE INFLUENZA: EAC REVIEWS TRIPWIRES AND

UNCLAS LUANDA 000289 SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR AF/S, DS/IP/AF, CA/OCS, M/MED AND DS/DSS/OSAC PRETORIA FOR HQ REGION SIX, MCESG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT AMED CASC TBIO ASEC KFLU KSAF KSEO KPAO SUBJECT: MGSF01: SWINE INFLUENZA: EAC REVIEWS TRIPWIRES AND PREPAREDNESS REF: STATE 041745 ¶1. (U) CDA convened Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on 04/28/2009 to discuss the situation described in reftel and review appropriate tripwires and mission preparedness. The following sections and agencies were represented: POL, CDC, CONS, USAID, MGT, USAID, USDAO, GSO, CLO and RSO. ¶2. (U) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) country director provided a briefing on the overall situation concerning the outbreak as well as a statement issued by the GRA Health Ministry advising that there are no confirmed cases in country at this time. The Health Ministry is working in conjunction with CDC and WHO to monitor the situation and has undertaken an active influenza surveillance program to this end. ¶3. (SBU) CDA then led a review of the Department approved pandemic influenza tripwires contained in our emergency action plan (EAP). Based on the information provided by CDC, the EAC was in agreement that Pandemic Influenza Tripwire Two (2) has been crossed. The EAC then concurred with the following measures, which the CDA directed be undertaken immediately: -- A warden message will be drafted, cleared with the Department, and disseminated to the private sector AMCIT community; warden system and F-77 report will also be reviewed and updated. (Action: CONS) -- A series of town hall meetings for staff and AMCITs will be held to review USG pandemic policy and health and safety precautions. (Action: MGT, CONS and CDC) -- Department Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and information disseminated at town hall meetings will also be passed to the AMCIT community via warden message as well as posted on the embassy Internet site. (Action: PAO and CONS) -- Both schools attended by American children (LIS and ESCOLA) will be consulted regarding health and safety procedures. (Action: CLO and RSO) -- An OSAC (Overseas Security Advisory Council) meeting will be held for companies or organizations wishing to obtain a briefing on USG pandemic policy and information. (Action: RSO and CDC) -- Post telephone cascade emergency notification system will be tested and any gaps or shortcomings addressed immediately. (Action: RSO and MGT) -- Post radio network will continue to be tested weekly per SOP. Alternate systems including satphones and HF radio will also be checked for operability and redundancy. (Action: IMO and DAO) -- Local guard mobile patrols will be on call as a backup in the event of failure of both primary and alternate internal communications systems. (Action: RSO) -- Section/agency heads will confirm that classified document holdings are being maintained at minimum levels, and that their USDH drawdown staffing lists as reflected in the EAP are up to date. (Action: ALL) -- Existing contracts for critical services, i.e. water delivery and local guard program, will be reviewed for adequacy; extra water will be delivered to residences and facilities as deemed appropriate. (Action: MGT and GSO) -- Local healthcare resources, health risks, and public health and sanitation conditions will be reviewed; liaison will be maintained with GRA authorities on contingency medical and mortuary preparedness and capabilities. (Action: CDC) -- WebPASS personnel lists will be checked and updated as needed; commercial air schedules will be confirmed and contingency departure options reviewed; USDH families will be provided with updated information regarding contingency departure options and procedures. (Action MGT and GSO) ¶3. (SBU) RSO confirms that all elements of the Mission Security Force (Marines, Surveillance Detection Unit, and Local Guards) continue to be adequately staffed and that host country police support for the security of the U.S. mission continues to be strong. RSO also confirms that all security standards and measures pertaining to post's established threat levels remain in place. ¶4. (U) Point of contact for this message is RSO Keith LaRochelle, telephone +244 22 264-1112, or email: LarochelleKR2@state.gov. HAWKINS