MONTERREY EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE ON SWINE FLU: MGSF01

UNCLAS MONTERREY 000150 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/MEX, WHA/PDA, CA/OCS STATE FOR DS/IP/WHA CDC FOR CCID/NCPDCID, CCID/NCIRD AND COGH/DGPPC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR, AMGT, MX SUBJECT: MONTERREY EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE ON SWINE FLU: MGSF01 REF: MEXICO 1171 ¶1. On April 27 Consul General convened the Monterrey Emergency Action Committee to discuss post's response to the outbreak of swine flu. Representatives from MGT, PAS, CONS, POL/ECON, RSO, ACS, FCS, DEA, DHS/ICE, ATO, CLO and OPAD attended. ¶2. Currently there are currently eleven suspected cases of swine flu in Nuevo Leon, and one death, but none of these cases has been confirmed to be swine flu. The jurisdiction in our 5-state consular district which has been most affected is San Luis Potosi. In Nuevo Leon the authorities have been proactive, closing all schools until May 6 and cancelling conferences and public meetings. A number of people in the street are wearing face masks. ¶3. After discussing post tripwires, the EAC decided to take the following actions: - All consular services will close starting April 28 until May 6, except for American Citizen Services, which will remain open for passports and consular reports of birth. - The Consular Agency in San Luis Potosi will be closed to the public, except for certain cases that can be handled on an appointment basis. - Post will not approve non-essential TDY travel. Travel related to the swine flu outbreak will be considered essential and will receive clearance. - Post has instituted a liberal leave policy and urged employees to stay home if they feel sick. Post also urged any sick employees to receive testing for flu, and emphasized that swine flu medication is most effective in the first 48 hours after the onset of symptoms. - Post has an adequate supply of anti-viral medication (Tamiflu/Relenza),and these drugs will be distributed by the post medical advisor based on the patient's medical symptoms. Post has requested additional supplies of these medication to handle unforeseen circumstances and to maintain our stock of supplies if they are used. - Post distributed face masks to all personnel, and urged the local guard force and others with contact with the public to use their masks. - Post will check daily with all employees to see if they or their families are suffering from potential cases of swine flu. - Post will employ an EFM registered nurse on an as-needed basis to provide medical assistance. - Post cancelled the scheduled April 30 `Take your Child to Work Day.' - Post met with representatives of three schools where Consulate children have attended classes, briefed them on the swine flu situation, and agreed to keep them informed as events develop. - Post has sent out management notices on tips to avoid swine flu, such as washing hands, and information on the post's medical advisor. - Post has distributed three warden messages to keep local Americans informed. - Post urged employees to ensure that they had at home adequate stocks of water, food, and other necessities in the event of emergency. In addition, employees were requested to check the validity of essential travel documents, such as passports and visas. ¶4. Post managers will continue to monitor the situation and convene the EAC as necessary. WILLIAMSON