Oslo's Pandemic Influenza Action Committee (PIAC) and EAC

UNCLAS OSLO 000612 SENSITIVE SIPDIS USDA PASS TO APHIS HHS FOR CDC AND OGHA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC AMED TBIO KFLU KFLO CASC NO SUBJECT: Oslo's Pandemic Influenza Action Committee (PIAC) and EAC Readout REF: State 099088 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Post convened a Pandemic Influenza Action Committee (PIAC) October 1 to review post's EAP and tripwires related to pandemic influenza. The PIAC developed recommendations for the EAC regarding appropriate preparedness measures specific to this post. Post's EAC, chaired by the Charge d'Affaires, met and approved the PIAC's recommendations on October 6. It was the PIAC and EAC's finding that the Mission remains well below the tripwires that would trigger a drawdown. The PIAC, comprised of all relevant sections and agencies at post, will meet regularly to monitor any new developments regarding pandemic influenza during the upcoming flu season. End Summary. ¶2. (U) Post's PIAC met on October 1 to review reftel and Section H-754.4 of our EAP (regarding Health and Environment). As elsewhere in Europe, the H1N1 virus in Norway has so far resulted in limited fatalities (seven) and has not led to widespread illness or absenteeism. However, the GON no longer has an accurate count of infectious cases because many patients are simply staying home and resting. While the official number of documented cases of H1N1 is less than 1,300, the true number is probably five times as high. ¶3. (U) As recommended by post's PIAC and approved by the EAC, the CLO will send guidance to all families this week, recommending embassy employees stockpile a 12-week supply of food and medication. Those with limited storage space will be assigned a partner family responsible for delivering food if needed during the quarantine of the affected employee. The CLO and nurse will also remind all employees of the location of the after-hours pharmacy in Oslo and of the address and phone numbers of the two main clinics and the 24 hour medical facility used by Embassy employees. ¶4. (U) The Health Unit has confirmed that stocks of hand sanitizer, anti-virals, N-95 respirators, surgical masks, gloves, and gowns are adequate. Our CHAR force has increased the frequency with which it cleans commonly touched surfaces and we have made disinfectant soap available at offices that have frequent contact with the public. Management has emphasized the importance of cross-training within sections in case absenteeism increases during the course of the flu season. ¶5. (U) The GON has launched a web site (www.fhi.no) that includes an English-language section with advice on preventing, detecting and treating H1N1. The large stockpile of H1N1 vaccines the GON has amassed would be available to LES staff and presumably to diplomatic staff as well (we are attempting to confirm this). New confirmed cases of H1N1 are currently running at the rate of about 100 per week, significantly below the rate of new infections registered in August. Post officers and nurse are also in contact with the Oslo International School, where there have been no confirmed cases of H1N1 thus far, and where absenteeism has been running at normal rates. October 6 EAC Meeting -------------- ¶6. (SBU) In a meeting on October 6, the EAC accepted the PIAC's recommendations to implement common-sense precautions relevant to the current situation at post, including implementing steps this week to inform embassy personnel, including family members and locally engaged staff. The PIAC will continue to meet regularly throughout the flu season and will make additional recommendations to the EAC as the situation warrants. Attendees at the EAC were: Charge d'Affaires (Chair); A/DCM (pol/econ counselor); RSO; Management Counselor; Cons; RAO; PAO; CLO; A/DATT; Staff Sergeant (MSG Detachment Commander); Office of Defense Cooperation. HEG