TFFLU01: OMAN'S MINISTRY OF HEALTH ACES FIRST H1N1 TEST

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000653

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC AMED CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL
PINR, AMGT, MU
SUBJECT: TFFLU01: OMAN'S MINISTRY OF HEALTH ACES FIRST H1N1 TEST

REFTEL: STATE 63491


1. (SBU) Summary: Five days after Oman's Ministry of Health
confirmed three H1N1 cases among returning YES students, no
additional cases have arisen. The students are reportedly in 'fine'
condition, according to the Ministry. The MoH's reaction, beginning
with the alert from AmidEast and the Embassy, demonstrate its
readiness to effectively respond to H1N1, at least on a small scale.
End Summary.

EVENT SUMMARY


2. (U) On Tuesday, June 16, AmidEast contacted the 9 Omani YES
participants to alert them to the possibility of H1N1, eventually
reaching five students by end of day. Embassy Muscat alerted the
Ministry of Health (and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and
Education) on June 16. By the morning of Wednesday, June 17, the MoH
had tracked down eight of the nine students and tested the six in
country (two had already departed Oman for onward travel). By end of
day, the MoH contacted and tested the final student.


3. (SBU) Late morning on June 17, roughly 24 hours after the alert
from the Embassy, the MoH had confirmed three cases of H1N1 and
initiated response measures: students and their families were placed
under home quarantine and issued Tamiflu; the MoH identified a
spokesperson, diligently deferring inquiries to that one person; by
early evening, the MoH made first public confirmation of the three
cases via text message to cell phones; the MoH spokesperson appeared
on evening radio and television; and a statement by the MoH ran front
page of all daily papers the next morning. The Ministry's
straightforward message stated confirmation of the three cases,
declared the patients in stable condition and noted they would be
kept under home quarantine.

STUDENT TV APPEARANCES EASE FEARS


4. (U) On June 17, the same day as the confirmations, Oman TV
interviewed one of the confirmed cases via phone. The student said
that she felt fine, and that she had just returned from the U.S. on a
program through the U.S. Embassy. On June 21, another of the three
students, visibly in good health, appeared on Oman TV for an
interview. She described feeling slightly ill for a few days, but
said that the flu quickly passed. From subsequent online postings
and conversations with contacts, it is evident that these interviews
went a long distance in allaying the public's fears of the appearance
of H1N1 in Oman.

NO CHANGE IN OFFICIAL PROCEDURES


5. (U) The Ministry's point person on H1N1 said that Oman would not
implement any changes to existing procedures as a result of these
confirmed cases. Currently, all international passengers arriving at
Muscat International Airport or Salalah International Airport are
scanned by thermal imaging devices. Passengers must also fill out
declaration forms upon arrival flagging flu-like symptoms and
countries visited. Medical staff is on standby at both airports to
conduct tests and implement 24 hour quarantining if deemed necessary.



4. (SBU) Comment: Oman's bureaucracy is not known for transparency,
proactive public communication, or fast action, yet the Ministry of
Health's reaction to these H1N1 cases was timely and effective,
especially in managing the public response. The Ministry has
demonstrated that, when it comes to public health and H1N1, it can
act fast and get the right information to the public. End Comment.
HURTADO