MGSF01: H1N1 FLU - UPDATE ON INDIA, BHUTAN'S RESPONSE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000879 SENSITIVE SIPDIS HHS FOR OGHA AND PASS TO ANNE CUMMINGS AND DANIEL MILLER CDC ATLANTA FOR CCID AND PASS TO NANCY COX, STEPHEN BLOUNT, ANN MOE AND STEVE REDD PASS TO NIH FOR ROGER GLASS, THOMAS MAMPILLY, JAMES HEDDINTON AND GRAY HANDLEY PASS TO FDA FOR MAC LUMPKIN AND MARY LOU VALDEZ PASS TO AIAG FOR AMBASSADOR ROBERT LOFTIS, HELEN REED ROWE, AND CRAIG SHAPIRO USDA PASS APHIS AND FAS DOT PASS SHATLEY FAA PASS TNASKOVIAK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR AMGT, MG, EAGR, EAIR, ECON, PREL, SOCI, IN SUBJECT: MGSF01: H1N1 FLU - UPDATE ON INDIA, BHUTAN'S RESPONSE REF: A. STATE 42349 ¶B. NEW DELHI 860 NEW DELHI 00000879 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: India still reports no cases of H1N1 in people or livestock, notwithstanding greatly exaggerated press reports of a case in Hyderabad. The Government of India (GOI) continues preparations to deal with any potential outbreaks. Airport screening has begun, though procedures are voluntary, inconsistently applied, and there have been suggestions of communication issues. Bhutan's Health Ministry is monitoring the situation but is not overly concerned with H1N1 flu at this time. END SUMMARY ¶2. (SBU) As of noon local time May 1, India still has no cases of H1N1 in humans or livestock. Hyderabad ConOff followed up with the Indian citizen returning from Texas that was identified by local media as a suspect case and was told that the individual was not exhibiting symptoms and had only inquired about measures in place and visited the quarantine site out of curiosity. He claimed that reported accounts were wildly embellished and inaccurate. Andhra Pradesh Health Secretary Mr. Subramanyam noted that following the media reports, both the individual and his parents underwent clinical examinations and that none tested positive for H1N1. India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOH) also confirmed there was no indication of H1N1 in this instance. ¶3. (SBU) MOH issued a press release indicating India has implemented screening procedures at international airports and ports, though Mission inquiries suggest the screening is voluntary, haphazard, and suffers from a breakdown in communication between the central government and airports outside of Delhi. An EmbOff arriving at New Delhi's international terminal on April 30 noted that despite the presence of counters, signs, and a few personnel wearing laboratory coats, screening was not mandatory and passengers were being asked to self-report if they had symptoms. ConGen Kolkata's airport contacts said that as of May 1 they were still awaiting formal instructions from the Central Government - questionnaires had not been distributed to passengers and no screening was being conducted though facilities were in place to do so. In Chennai, informal screening began on April 30 and formal screening was expected to begin that evening, even though they had not yet received the questionnaire from the Central Government. ¶4. (U) In addition, the press release states the GOI has increased disease surveillance efforts, published an advisory recommending that travelers defer nonessential travel to affected areas, and issued guidelines to states and advised them to review their preparedness to investigate and contain any suspected cluster of influenza-like illness. According to the press release and information from the MOH, personal protective equipment is being kept at the MOH's Regional Director Offices in 19 cities and Oseltamavir stocks will be increased from 1 million to 10 million doses to meet any emergent requirements. NEW DELHI 00000879 002.2 OF 002 BHUTAN'S RESPONSE ¶5. (SBU) During an April 28 meeting, Bhutan's Director of Public Health told the Mission's Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs that he had just requested all cases of flu-like disease in the country be reported to him through the health chain. The director said that while Bhutan was not overly concerned, it was possible that someone from Mexico could end up in Bhutan with the virus. Therefore, the airport authorities would be asked to be vigilant in order to identify arriving passengers who were ill. He said that his ministry had a very positive association with the U.S. military lab in Bangkok for serological analysis and support. MISSION ACTIONS ¶6. (SBU) Mission continues to engage government and commercial contacts, and communicate within the Mission community about new H1N1 developments in India and around the world, but has not changed day-to-day procedures at this time. BURLEIGH