Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PARIS589
2009-04-27 15:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
Swine Flu: French Say currently no/no positive cases in
how-toVZCZCXRO9965 OO RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDF RUEHDH RUEHHM RUEHIK RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHMA RUEHPB RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHTM RUEHTRO DE RUEHFR #0589 1171518 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 271518Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6129 INFO RHEBAAA/USDOE WASHDC RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS PARIS 000589
SIPDIS
NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION
CORRECTED TEXT
Pass OES/IHB
USDA/FAS/OSTA for Hamilton, Bean and Macke
Pass Health and Human Services
Pass Centers for Disease Control
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV KFLU CASC TBIO FR
SUBJECT: Swine Flu: French Say currently no/no positive cases in
France
UNCLAS PARIS 000589
SIPDIS
NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION
CORRECTED TEXT
Pass OES/IHB
USDA/FAS/OSTA for Hamilton, Bean and Macke
Pass Health and Human Services
Pass Centers for Disease Control
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV KFLU CASC TBIO FR
SUBJECT: Swine Flu: French Say currently no/no positive cases in
France
1. (SBU) Contacts at the French Ministry of Health (MOH) informed
the Embassy that there are currently no positive cases of H1NI
confirmed in France. There are a few ongoing suspicions, however,
which will be discussed today in detail through the Global Health
Security Action Group (GHSAG) channels by the French MOH Director
General of Health Didier Houssin. MOH noted that if necessary,
France will use and adapt all procedures issued in its 2009 Pandemic
Preparedness Plan for Avian Influenza to handle the Mexican flu
epidemic. French press reports that the four suspected cases of
swine flu among travelers returning from Mexico to France were given
the all-clear.
2. Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin stated at a press
conference yesterday in Paris that the GOF is closely monitoring the
development of the epidemic. MOH is taking a series of measures
including close contact with WHO and other European governments,
informing local authorities of recent developments, daily press
conferences for the public, and establishing a special telephone
number for French travelers to call for information.
3. Houssin stated that the Ministry of Health expects more
suspected cases in the coming days, due to the high number of
travelers entering France from Mexico and the U.S. The GOF is
confident that the French national preparedness plan for the
prevention and control of an influenza pandemic can be applied in
case of swine flu and relies on 33 million doses of Tamiflu in
storage. The French committee for pre-pandemic preparation has not
recommended vaccination using seasonal flu vaccine and there is no
decision to consider quarantine plans so far.
4. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAP) has stated that
no H1N1 swine flu virus has been found in pigs raised in France.
Further, France imports neither live pigs nor pork meat from Mexico.
5. The Consular Section's Office of Citizen Services reports only a
few inquiries from Americans in France.
6. COMMENT: It is clear that the GOF wants to coordinate closely
with the U.S. Government in considering actions to prevent and
contain the spread of this virus.
Pekala
SIPDIS
NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION
CORRECTED TEXT
Pass OES/IHB
USDA/FAS/OSTA for Hamilton, Bean and Macke
Pass Health and Human Services
Pass Centers for Disease Control
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV KFLU CASC TBIO FR
SUBJECT: Swine Flu: French Say currently no/no positive cases in
France
1. (SBU) Contacts at the French Ministry of Health (MOH) informed
the Embassy that there are currently no positive cases of H1NI
confirmed in France. There are a few ongoing suspicions, however,
which will be discussed today in detail through the Global Health
Security Action Group (GHSAG) channels by the French MOH Director
General of Health Didier Houssin. MOH noted that if necessary,
France will use and adapt all procedures issued in its 2009 Pandemic
Preparedness Plan for Avian Influenza to handle the Mexican flu
epidemic. French press reports that the four suspected cases of
swine flu among travelers returning from Mexico to France were given
the all-clear.
2. Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin stated at a press
conference yesterday in Paris that the GOF is closely monitoring the
development of the epidemic. MOH is taking a series of measures
including close contact with WHO and other European governments,
informing local authorities of recent developments, daily press
conferences for the public, and establishing a special telephone
number for French travelers to call for information.
3. Houssin stated that the Ministry of Health expects more
suspected cases in the coming days, due to the high number of
travelers entering France from Mexico and the U.S. The GOF is
confident that the French national preparedness plan for the
prevention and control of an influenza pandemic can be applied in
case of swine flu and relies on 33 million doses of Tamiflu in
storage. The French committee for pre-pandemic preparation has not
recommended vaccination using seasonal flu vaccine and there is no
decision to consider quarantine plans so far.
4. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAP) has stated that
no H1N1 swine flu virus has been found in pigs raised in France.
Further, France imports neither live pigs nor pork meat from Mexico.
5. The Consular Section's Office of Citizen Services reports only a
few inquiries from Americans in France.
6. COMMENT: It is clear that the GOF wants to coordinate closely
with the U.S. Government in considering actions to prevent and
contain the spread of this virus.
Pekala