MGSF01: PHILIPPINE H1N1 UPDATE

UNCLAS MANILA 000941

SIPDIS

BANGKOK FOR HOWELL HOWARD AND WINSTON BOWMAN
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: MGSF01: PHILIPPINE H1N1 UPDATE

REF: MANILA 0913


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Embassy Manila's Mission Pandemic Influenza Task
Force met on April 30 to review preparedness tripwires and discuss
necessary actions in response to the continuing global spread of
H1N1 influenza cases. Although the Philippines still has no
suspected or confirmed cases of H1N1 flu, the Philippine government
has stepped up efforts to monitor travelers for the disease,
including thermal imaging at several of its international airports.
The Department of Health (DOH) and Embassy Manila will receive H1N1
testing kits within days. The Philippine Department of Agriculture
has begun a de facto ban on U.S. pork products, but may be
considering a state-by-state approach to licensing U.S. pork for
import. END SUMMARY.

PREPARATIONS, BUT NO CASES YET
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2. (SBU) The Mission Pandemic Influenza Task Force met on April 30
to review preparedness tripwires and discuss necessary steps against
in light of the H1N1 outbreak in other parts of the world. The
Philippines still has no suspected or confirmed cases of H1N1 flu,
but Post is considering additional precautions in addition to those
taken earlier in the week (reftel),including the possible use of a
thermal scanner outside the Embassy's public entrance to scan
visitors entering the compound. The U.S. Armed Forces Research
Institute of Medical Sciences based in Bangkok, Thailand, will
provide influenza testing kits to Embassy Manila and the Philippine
Research Institute of Tropical Medicine. The kits are anticipated
to arrive on Monday, May 4. Post's medical unit has adequate stocks
of Tamiflu on hand for Mission personnel and family members and
local staff were an outbreak to occur in the Philippines.

LIASING WITH U.S. FORCES IN COUNTRY
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3. (SBU) Post continues to coordinate closely with all U.S. Military
forces in country - including the Joint Special Operations Task
Force - Philippines and forces participating in the annual Balikatan
bilateral military exercise which concluded April 30 -- on the
health, safety, and public affairs dimensions of the H1N1 issue.


4. (SBU) The Philippine National Disaster Coordinating Council met
on Wednesday, April 29, and mandated thermal scanning at Ninoy
Aquino International Airport in Manila as well as Clark Airport for
passengers arriving from overseas. Foreign military forces taking
part in the May 4-8 ASEAN Regional Forum Voluntary Demonstration of
Response in Manila will also undergo thermal scanning on arrival.

PORK BAN MAY BE MODIFIED
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5. (SBU) The Philippines continues its temporary ban on U.S. pork
products as a precautionary measure, although Secretary of
Agriculture Yap acknowledged publicly that H1N1 is a human health
issue, and not an animal health issue. There are reports the
Department of Agriculture may be considering a state-by-state
approach to pork products from the United States.

KENNEY