UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LUSAKA 000653

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/S, DS/IP/AF, CA/OCS, M/MED AND
DS/DSS/OSAC
PRETORIA FOR HQ REGION SIX, MCESG; CDC FOR H1N1
INFLUENZA

PROGRAM

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT AMED CASC TBIO KFLU KSAF KSEO KPAO
ZA
SUBJECT: H1N1 SPREADING IN ZAMBIA: GRZ AND MISSION
RESPONSES


1. (SBU) Summary: Pandemic H1N1 influenza is now
estimated to be widespread in Zambia, with at least 300
clinical cases and 32 confirmed cases. Local
authorities in Copperbelt and Central Province have
closed some schools and quarantined students. Embassy
Lusaka convened an interagency Pandemic Diseases
Working Group meeting focused on H1N1 September 22,
2009 to coordinate information sharing and help ensure
preparedness. End summary.

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H1N1 HITS ZAMBIA Q GRZ STEPS UP CAMPAIGN
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2. (SBU) The GRZ has stepped up its public awareness,
testing and preventive measures in the face of a likely
widespread outbreak of H1N1 pandemic flu in Zambia.
The GRZ has confirmed 32 cases of H1N1 infection in
patients from several provinces in Zambia. It is
estimated that there have been at least 300 clinical
cases thus far.

(SBU)Preparedness: The National Infectious Diseases
Task Force meets biweekly to monitor the pandemic and
adjust its response accordingly (one to two USG staff
participate regularly). The National Influenza Pandemic
Response Plan and H1N1 Clinical Guidelines were
recently revised to reflect the changing epidemiology
of the current pandemic. Given the limited human and
financial resources in Zambia the MoH is taking
appropriate steps to respond to the pandemic.


3. (SBU) Testing: The Ministry of Health (MoH) is able
to perform H1N1 real-time polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) testing at University Teaching Hospital (UTH)
utilizing equipment and reagents supplied by CDC. All
provinces and districts were encouraged to send in
specimens to UTH for testing (Note: technical
constraints mean testing is not done in areas outside
the capital. End note).


3. (SBU) The MoH has established two outpatient
sentinel sites in local clinics in Lusaka as well as
the Filter

Clinic at UTH which provide patients for
H1N1 testing. MoH also does active testing for H1N1 in
UTH hospital admissions of all ages that have
influenza-like illnesses.


4. (SBU) Equipment/Vaccine: Personal protective
equipment purchased by the WHO and CDC was sent to all
provincial capitals. Zambia is expected to receive an
undetermined amount of U.S. and vaccine manufacturer-
donated H1N1 vaccine through the WHO.


4. (SBU) Airport Screening/Isolation Facilities: Staff
at all major border posts and airports were sensitized
to the pandemic and asked to identify and interview
persons appearing ill arriving from other countries.
Lusaka International Airport established a facility
with 10 beds for use as needed by ill passengers. Also
in Lusaka, authorities have designated an isolation
facility at a local clinic to accommodate up to 15
patients if the need arises.


5. (SBU) Public Awareness: Community radio and
television stations have been carrying public service
announcements about the pandemic. Local press has
picked up stories of school closings and health
authority responses.

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MISSION LUSAKA COORDINATES, PREPARES
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6. (SBU) Mission Lusaka convened an H1N1-focused
Pandemic Diseases Working Group meeting September 22,
2009 to coordinate interagency efforts and ensure
better preparedness should pandemic disease tripwires
be crossed. CONS, CDC, USAID, PAS, MGMT, RSO were
present and MED, CLO, DAO were consulted.


LUSAKA 00000653 002 OF 002



7. (SBU) The Working Group decided to review regularly
pandemic disease tripwires, to meet monthly and to
convene the EAC if warranted. In terms of Amcit
outreach, the Working Group coordinated consular
transmission of a warden message in light of increased
press reports of school closures and quarantined
students. CDC had also recently presented to the
American International School community on H1N1
prevention steps.


8. (SBU) To enhance speed of access, CDC compiled a
list of key GRZ contacts for pandemic disease response
and distributed to all Working Group members. This
contact list and other key information will appear on
the Intellipedia-U site the Working Group is developing
to facilitate the sharing of pandemic disease
information across the interagency community in Zambia
and the region. Public Affairs is adding an H1N1 link
to the Embassy internet site to direct the public to
CDC-sourced information.


9. (SBU) The U.S. Embassy Health Unit has 384 treatment
courses of Tamiflu expiring 8/2010 and 372 courses
expiring in 4/2014, as well as 27 Relenza inhalors for
treating USG employees and dependents with severe
influenza. RN Wendland has inquired about H1N1 vaccine
and its projected availability for high-risk
individuals. CDC regularly transmits electronic H1N1
influenza updates to the Mission community for use in
outreach as appropriate.

BOOTH