First Philippine H1N1 Case

UNCLAS MANILA 001108 SIPDIS BANGKOK FOR HOWELL HOWARD AND WINSTON BOWMAN STATE PASS USTR JANE DOHERTY STATE PASS USDA/FAS/OSTA CLAY HAMILTON AND CASEY BEAN STATE PASS USAID STATE PASS HHS/NIH STATE PASS HHS/CDC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR AMGT, MG, RP SUBJECT: First Philippine H1N1 Case REF: MANILA 0965 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Philippine Department of Health has confirmed the Philippines' first case of H1N1 influenza in a 10-year-old girl who arrived May 18 on a flight from the U.S. The Health Department is now trying to contact the other passengers on the flight. The Philippine government is ramping-up its preparations for a possible outbreak which may come along with the start of the Philippine school year on June 1, coinciding with the typhoon season and annual flu season. As noted reftel, Post has prepared medicines and personnel for a possible wider outbreak. End summary. First Case of H1N1 -------------- ¶2. The Philippines' first confirmed case of Influenza A (H1N1) infection was announced to reporters via video conference from the headquarters of the World Health Organization by Philippine Health Secretary Duque on May 21. The 10-year-old girl arrived with her parents on a flight from the U.S. on May 18 and developed a fever the following day. The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) conducted tests and confirmed the diagnosis as Influenza A (H1N1). Her fever has subsided and she has left the hospital, but she and her family remain under home quarantine and Health Department monitoring. Philippine Government's Response -------------- ¶3. The Philippines is accelerating its preparations for a possible outbreak with calls for public vigilance and influenza prevention practices. The Philippine government is now tracing persons who had contact with the infected girl and preparing protocols for the use of its store of about one million capsules of Tamiflu. Current plans are for schools to open as scheduled on June 1, and to use the schools to help broadcast public information relevant to H1N1. ¶4. Seven other persons have been under observation for possible H1N1 influenza at Philippine hospitals pending completion of laboratory tests. Three tested negative for H1N1 last night. The other cases are still pending test results from the RITM. The Philippines has tested some 77 suspected cases since monitoring for H1N1 started on May 1. Post Preparedness -------------- ¶5. Post Medical Unit is well prepared and adequately stocked with medications, and medical staff is ready to respond in an event of an outbreak. Management notices have been issued to alert all Embassy personnel to the need to be vigilant and practice basic flu prevention techniques. KENNEY