Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PORTLOUIS128
2009-04-27 13:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Port Louis
Cable title:  

SWINE FLU: MAURITIUS CONVENES "CRISIS COMMITTEE" TO PLAN

Tags:  AMED PGOV KFLU MP 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO9825
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHPL #0128 1171329
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 271329Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY PORT LOUIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4522
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
UNCLAS PORT LOUIS 000128 

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

AF/E FOR MARIA BEYZEROV

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMED PGOV KFLU MP
SUBJECT: SWINE FLU: MAURITIUS CONVENES "CRISIS COMMITTEE" TO PLAN
AHEAD FOR POSSIBLE CASES

REF: SECSTATE 41768

UNCLAS PORT LOUIS 000128

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

AF/E FOR MARIA BEYZEROV

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMED PGOV KFLU MP
SUBJECT: SWINE FLU: MAURITIUS CONVENES "CRISIS COMMITTEE" TO PLAN
AHEAD FOR POSSIBLE CASES

REF: SECSTATE 41768


1. (U) On April 27 the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life
convened a meeting of the "Crisis Committee which has been set up
this morning" (according to the notice faxed to the Embassy) to plan
ahead for the eventuality of swine flu affecting the island nation.
Health Minister Rajeshwar Jeetah chaired the meeting, which included
statements by senior health and transportation officials, including
the heads of the port and airport authorities. Despite the rhetoric
of the invitation, officials stressed that there are no known or
suspected cases in Mauritius, that swine flu is generally less
deadly than avian flu, and that the point of the meeting was to
ensure that existing prevention and monitoring systems are
functioning. The head of the airport authority sought clarification
from the Minister concerning a request that captains of aircraft
inform ground control 30 minutes before landing of any cases of
sickness on board. A/DCM, asked to share any additional points from
the USG, noted that his guidance on the outbreak was very similar to
what was being shared at the meeting.

COMMENT
--------------


2. (SBU) Another purpose of the meeting, which was well covered by
local media, was certainly to reassure the public. Living on an
island that depends on tourism and with worldwide air connections,
Mauritians naturally feel concern that they are vulnerable to a
possible epidemic spread by travelers. This was an opportunity for
the government to show the people that it is planning ahead to
protect them.

BLASER