NO CONFIRMED H1N1 CASES IN TRINIDAD, PORT SECURITY

UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000198

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

STATE FOR INFLUENZA MONITORING GROUP MGSF01
DEPT PASS TO HHS
DEPT FOR USAID LAC/AA, GH/AA, GM/OMA
ALSO FOR USAID MISSION DIRECTORS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU EAID SOCI TBIO XL TD
SUBJECT: NO CONFIRMED H1N1 CASES IN TRINIDAD, PORT SECURITY
INCREASED AS A PRECAUTION

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: There are no confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus in
T&T. Seven individuals returning from Mexico were quarantined, of
which six tested negative for Type A Influenza and were released and
one is still under observation. No facility in T&T currently has
the capacity to test for the new strain of H1N1 causing the current
outbreak. The Caribbean Epidemiology Center (CAREC) expects to
receive a limited number of primers from CDC to begin testing for
the new H1N1 strain during the week of May 4. GOTT has responded to
the outbreak by requiring screening of incoming passengers. Limited
quantities of Tamiflu, lack of diagnosis capacity, and limited
health care facilities constrain the GOTT's ability to respond to an
H1N1 outbreak. END SUMMARY
LIMITED TESTING AND DIAGNOSIS CAPACITY
--------------

2. (U) The Trinidad Public Health Laboratory (TPHL) is capable of
performing initial screenings to identify Type A Influenza.
Individuals who test negative for Type A Influenza are medically
cleared for the H1N1 virus. Cases testing positive for Type A
Influenza will be forwarded to CAREC. At this time CAREC is unable
to test for the H1N1 strain causing the current epidemic; CAREC
staff have the skills to complete diagnosis but lack necessary
primers. CAREC expects to receive a limited quantity of primers
from CDC to begin testing during the week of May 4. Until then,
CAREC will forward positive tests via FedEx to CDC in Atlanta for
diagnosis, with results expected 48 hours from when the sample
leaves T&T.

GOTT RESPONSE
--------------

3. (U) Following guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO),
GOTT has not restricted travel. However, GOTT has posted Public
Health Officers at each air and sea port of entry and enlisted the
help of airlines and customs and immigration officials to prevent
the H1N1 virus from entering the country. While on board, passengers
are asked to complete a health declaration form for preliminary
screening. These forms are reviewed by the Ministry of Health who
will forward suspected cases to the Port Health Authorities. Per
GOTT request, airlines must ask passengers coming from areas with
H1N1 outbreaks or those experiencing flu-like symptoms to report to
a Public Health Officer upon arrival. Health Officers will conduct
interviews to gather contact information for surveillance and follow
up as well as to ask if the passenger is experiencing influenza
symptoms. Passengers who display symptoms are immediately escorted
to a specially designated Medical Examination Room. An ambulance
then is called to transport them to a designated health facility.


4. (U) Customs and immigration officials have been alerted to look
at all passengers as they enter the country. Passengers displaying
flu-like symptoms are referred to a Public Health Officer. All
customs and immigration officials have been given face masks.


5. (U) The Ministry of Health reportedly has 1.5 million surgical
masks and 10,000 N95 masks. There are conflicting reports that GOTT
has either 138,000 or 120,000 doses of Tamiflu, originally
stockpiled to prepare for pandemic bird flu.

CARIBBEAN AIRLINES RESPONSE
--------------

6. (U) EconOff spoke with the Director of Marking and Corporate
Communication for Caribbean Airlines who reported passengers are
expressing concern and asking questions, however they are not
canceling travel plans. The airline is distributing face masks to
those passengers who display flu-like symptoms, encouraging
passengers to wash their hands, and distributing anti-bacterial gel.


RIES