MGSF01: BURMA HEALTH MINISTRY TO MONITOR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000241 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS, G/AIAG; PACOM FOR FPA; USDA FOR FAS/PECAD, FAS/CNMP, FAS/AAD, APHIS; BANGKOK FOR USAID:JMACARTHUR, APHIS:NCARDENAS, REO:HHOWARD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KPAO PREL PINR AMGT, BM SUBJECT: MGSF01: BURMA HEALTH MINISTRY TO MONITOR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS FOR SWINE FLU REF: RANGOON 238 RANGOON 00000241 001.6 OF 002 Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) The Burmese Ministry of Health (MOH) announced it will begin monitoring the temperature of all incoming and outbound passengers at international airports. The MOH has yet to determine whether or how it will quarantine sick passengers. The GOB designated Wei Bagi Hospital in Rangoon for all swine flu cases, should they occur, and the Ministry of Health confirmed it has the necessary diagnostic capacity in its Rangoon lab for swine flu testing. Both the Ministries of Health and Livestock and Fisheries issued warnings on swine flu in the local papers. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) continue to work with the GOB on pandemic flu preparedness. End Summary. Still no Cases; MOH to Monitor International Travelers -------------- ¶2. (SBU) There are still no reported cases of swine flu in Burma, according to WHO Epidemiologist and Pandemic Flu Coordinator Silvia Garelli. More than 60 GOB officials from the Ministries of Livestock and Fisheries, Health, Immigration, and Customs met in Nay Pyi Taw on April 27. According to Livestock Breeding Veterinary Department (LBVD) Director Dr. Khin Maung Maung (who attended the meeting),the Ministry of Health has educated its State and Division Health Directors and Township Medical Officers on swine flu, and has ordered that any suspected cases be referred to Rangoon for testing and treatment. The Ministry of Health has designated state-run Wei Bagi Hospital (which handles HIV/AIDS cases) in Rangoon for all suspected swine flu cases, should they occur. Additionally, Director General of Health Dr. Win Myint announced yesterday that the Ministry of Health's diagnostic laboratory in Rangoon, which was supported with USAID Avian Influenza funding, has the capacity to test for swine flu. ¶3. (SBU) The MOH also announced that it will begin monitoring the temperature of both incoming and outbound passengers at the Rangoon and Mandalay International Airports. Dr. Khin Maung Maung told us MOH Health Department personnel will take temperatures tympanically (using an ear thermometer),as the GOB does not have thermal scanners to check passengers. Arriving passengers will be monitored before they clear immigration; however the MOH has yet to establish quarantine procedures at the airport. Upon departure, passengers will receive a card stating they show no signs of fever. Educating the Public -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Both the Burmese and English language versions of the government daily New Light of Myanmar included press releases from the Ministries of Health and Livestock and Fisheries. Although LBVD officials told us the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries would not issue a statement lest it create a public panic (Reftel),Dr. Khin Maung Maung told us that FAO officials urged the Ministry to reconsider. The Ministry statement warns of the dangers of swine flu with regard to both animals and humans and indicates how one might prevent an animal to human transmission. The Ministry of RANGOON 00000241 002.4 OF 002 Health announcement refers generally to a global human flu, noting symptoms and how to prevent disease transmission. UN to Brief Diplomats -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Both the WHO and FAO continue to work with the GOB to improve the capacity to prevent, detect, and treat swine flu, should cases occur. UN Resident Coordinator Bishow Parajuli told us that the Ministry of Health, which has some diagnostic capacity, will request technical assistance. LBVD officials have already expressed concerns over diagnostic capability and are likely to request assistance. WHO and FAO will host a joint briefing for the diplomatic community on swine flu on April 29. The UN plans to host a separate meeting with donors on May 4 to discuss how the international community can assist the Burmese Government in preventing this disease. DINGER