Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NASSAU275
2009-04-29 14:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Nassau
Cable title:  

CORRECTED: GCOB ACTIVATING "STATE OF PREPAREDNESS" AGAINST

Tags:  KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2077
PP RUEHAO RUEHCD RUEHGA RUEHGD RUEHGR RUEHHA RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHMT
RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHQU RUEHRD RUEHRG RUEHRS RUEHTM RUEHVC
DE RUEHBH #0275/01 1191407
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 291407Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY NASSAU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6330
INFO RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NASSAU 000275 

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR
AMGT, MG, BF
SUBJECT: CORRECTED: GCOB ACTIVATING "STATE OF PREPAREDNESS" AGAINST
SWINE FLU

REF: 09 NASSAU 274

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NASSAU 000275

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR
AMGT, MG, BF
SUBJECT: CORRECTED: GCOB ACTIVATING "STATE OF PREPAREDNESS" AGAINST
SWINE FLU

REF: 09 NASSAU 274


1. (U) SUMMARY: The GCOB discussed measures to contain and prevent
the spread of Swine Flu (H1N1) at air and sea ports of entry (POEs).
GCOB officials reported no confirmed cases of Swine Flu; however,
the Ministry of Health (MoH) is currently at 24/7 operational
capacity and is in a "state of preparedness." Measures at POEs will
include some form of quarantine and consultation with a national
surveillance system for suspected/confirmed cases of the flu,
although the MoH has yet to clarify the protocol for handling
infected and potentially infected passengers. The GCOB is aware of
the need to act quickly and intends to implement screening measures
with minimal inconvenience to tourists. Post will convene an EAC
April 29 to review tripwires and its Emergency Action Plan. END
SUMMARY.

--------------
GCOB Engagement on Swine Flu
--------------


2. (U) On April 27 and 28, ConOff and EconOff attended meetings of
officials from numerous GCOB agencies, including the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs (MFA),MoH, Ministry of Tourism and Aviation (MoTA),
Airport Authority, Florida Carribbean Cruise Association (FCCA),
Bahamas Hotel Association and National Emergency Management Agency
(NEMA) to discuss the Swine Flu outbreak and its anticipated impact
on tourism, immigration and aviation. All GCOB agencies have
activated, or will shortly activate their pandemic response plan,
according to the MoH. MoH is operating 24/7and holding daily
emergency meetings and press briefings as a part of its "elevated
health and security" status. NEMA will coordinate the GCOB response
and the Ministry of Health will lead the effort in Swine Flu
prevention. MoH has activated its National Surveillance Advisory
Body to track suspected and confirmed cases through a network of

fifty (50) reporting sites dispersed throughout the country. MoH and
MoTA will launch a public service announcement encouraging personal
hygiene. The Bahamas Hotel Association has sent information to its
175 constituent hoteliers on the flu and has enacted its "hurricane"
policy to return deposits to customers who no longer wish to
travel.

--------------
Swine Flu in Abaco?
--------------


3. (U) There are no confirmed cases of swine flu as of 28 April

2009. However, the MoH announced it quarantined a group of Bahamian
students and teachers recently returned from Mexico. According to
press reports, at least two students reported flu-like symptoms upon
return. Officials have not yet received lab results to determine
whether the illness is the H1N1 swine flu.

--------------
Air POEs
--------------


4. (U) The GCOB is enacting several additional screening measures
at Ports of Entry (POEs) to limit the potential for infection among
incoming tourists and visitors:

-- MoT officials announced that all passengers at air and sea
POEs will be required to fill out a screening form with questions
related to their point of departure and places visited over the
course of their travels. The screening form will be used as of
April 29.

-- Signs will be posted in arrival terminals at all airports
requesting passengers with flu-like symptoms report to a health desk
or MoH health officer in the arrivals area.

-- Airport authorities in New Providence will direct passengers
exhibiting symptoms to a nurses' station. There, nurses will ask
passengers to put on a mask and then transport them to one of 40
community clinics in New Providence for further evaluation and
testing. Inbound planes containing passengers exhibiting symptoms
will be isolated upon arrival. All passengers will be required to
wait until the National Surveillance Advisory Board and the Port
Health Officer determine appropriate quarantine procedures.


5. (U) This policy applies to the airports on New Providence. MoH
officials are still determining where to direct affected passengers
at the Family Island airports.


6. (U) The GCOB has not determined whether tourists and visitors
with confirmed cases of Swine Flu will be deported or put into
long-term quarantine.


7. (U) The MoTA, in conjunction with the MoH, will utilize marina
databases in order to spread word to private yachts about new

NASSAU 00000275 002 OF 002


procedures at POEs. The MoH will advertise a "hotline" number
(1-242-502-4790) that tourists and residents can call to obtain
information on swine flu and preventive measures.

--------------
Sea POEs
--------------


8. (U) The MoH is also working with the FCCA to determine whether
cruise companies' pre-departure health screening measures are
sufficient to avoid additional screening upon arrival in Nassau. To
date, Royal Caribbean is the only company to have demonstrated
sufficient pre-screening procedures for influenza symptoms. The
FCCA is currently in contact with Carnival Cruise Lines and Disney
Cruise Lines to assess their screening operations.

--------------
Cruises from Mexico
--------------


9. (U) According to the FCCA, the Carnival Cruise ship "Glory" is
the only ship to regularly stop in Mexico before proceeding to
Nassau. It is next expected into Port on May 6. The FCCA
representative reported that there is talk of temporarily
eliminating all Mexican ports of call in the ship's itinerary.

--------------
Turks and Caicos Islands
--------------


10. According to the Chief Medical Officer, there are no confirmed
or suspected cases of swine flu in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Passengers arriving in Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) will be asked
to fill out a questionnaire and may have their temperature taken.
Seagoing passengers will only be asked to complete a questionnaire.

--------------
Comment
--------------


11. (SBU) The GCOB is fully engaged in efforts to monitor, contain
and prevent the spread of the swine flu into the country, and are
keenly aware of the need to enact screening measures with minimal
inconvenience and disruption to the normal tourist traffic. GCOB
officials are disappointed at the EU's recent issuance of a travel
warning that advises its citizens to postpone non- essential travel
and are concerned that the USG will follow suit. Although the MoH
and NEMA are actively working with international organizations and
local agencies, there is no clearly defined quarantine plan in the
event of mass infection. Post will convene an EAC April 29 to
review tripwires and possible actions. Post sent out a warden
message April 28 advising the American community the developing
situation. Post is also currently updating its Emergency Action
Plan to comply with Department recommendations.


ZUNIGA-BROWN