Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MEXICO1203
2009-04-29 21:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Mexico
Cable title:  

H1N1 VIRUS EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Tags:  ASEC PTER AMGT CASC MSG MX 
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P 292109Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6296
INFO AMCONSUL CIUDAD JUAREZ PRIORITY 
AMCONSUL GUADALAJARA PRIORITY 
AMCONSUL HERMOSILLO PRIORITY 
AMCONSUL MATAMOROS PRIORITY 
AMCONSUL MERIDA PRIORITY 
AMCONSUL MONTERREY PRIORITY 
AMCONSUL NOGALES PRIORITY 
AMCONSUL NUEVO LAREDO PRIORITY 
AMCONSUL TIJUANA PRIORITY
UNCLAS MEXICO 001203 

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PTER AMGT CASC MSG MX
SUBJECT: H1N1 VIRUS EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETINGS
(EAC) - APRIL 27, 2009

UNCLAS MEXICO 001203

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PTER AMGT CASC MSG MX
SUBJECT: H1N1 VIRUS EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETINGS
(EAC) - APRIL 27, 2009


1. (U) The Charge' d' affaires convened the full EAC twice on Monday, April 27th to discuss the quickly evolving developments related to the H1N1 virus outbreak in Mexico. Members from each of the 32 different U.S. government agencies present in Mexico City were represented as well as State section chiefs.


2. (SBU) Charge' updated the EAC on the latest actions taken (closing all schools in Mexico) by the Government of Mexico (GOM) and measures taken by the Mission in response/support of those actions. All visa services (except emergency services) Mission-wide will be cancelled as long as schools
in Mexico remained closed. Post's medical officer then provided an update on swine flu statistics for Mexico City and updated EAC on status of necessary medical supplies (Tamiflu vaccines, masks, respirators, etc.). The EAC was then briefed on numbers of CDC personnel and other agencies
(World Health Organization, Pan American Health Organization, etc.) in country and what information we can expect to receive from them regarding travel advisories and increasing threat levels as well as what that means for Department of State advisories and warden messages.


3. (SBU) The EAC reviewed Mission Mexico City's tripwires to determine if any additional tripwires and/or thresholds were crossed that would warrant requesting authorized departure. The Minister Counselor for Management Affairs and the Human Resource Officer provided EAC members a brief on drawdown options as well as a summary of the allowances and restrictions with an authorized departure. After a thorough and detailed discussion on tripwire thresholds, the EAC determined that Mission Mexico City did not cross any tripwire that would warrant a formal request to the Department for authorized departure. However, the EAC did indicate that Mission Mexico City was close to a few
tripwires that would lead to a request for authorized departure, most notably an increase to a WHO Phase 5 level (we are currently at Phase 4) and/or confirmed case(s) of the H1NI virus within the American Embassy community.


4. (SBU) Actions Taken by Post - Liberal leave was approved for employees with childcare, transportation or family illness concerns. Charge' updated the embassy community via
a virtual town hall meeting on April 27th. RSO and MGT recommended employees stockpile a two-week supply of food, water and medicines in case there are additional closures in Mexico City, especially supermarkets and/or food suppliers. EAC recommended all non-essential travel be deferred. RSO
updated internal warden systems and will conduct an exercise to test/fine-tune the system as well as ensure adequate emergency supplies are on hand. Contingency plans have been developed with the local guard contractor and diplomatic police to ensure adequate coverage should there be
significant absenteism and emergency plans in CEPA have been updated. Warden messages were updated. Mexico City's late-morning earthquake served as a reminder that although
the swine flu outbreak has the post's and world's attention, we must be mindful of other possible security threats and/or incidents.


5. (U) Should you have any questions or comments, please contact the Regional Security Office.
Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North American
Partnership Blog at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap /
BASSETT