Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RIYADH1023
2009-08-05 13:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
SAUDI H1N1 UPDATE: SIX DEATHS, VACCINES ORDERED,
how-toVZCZCXRO5330 PP RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR DE RUEHRH #1023 2171346 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 051346Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1353 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA PRIORITY
UNCLAS RIYADH 001023
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP (HARRIS)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL TBIO KFLU CASC ASEC BEXP SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI H1N1 UPDATE: SIX DEATHS, VACCINES ORDERED,
NO BAN ON HAJJ PILGRIMS TO DATE
UNCLAS RIYADH 001023
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP (HARRIS)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL TBIO KFLU CASC ASEC BEXP SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI H1N1 UPDATE: SIX DEATHS, VACCINES ORDERED,
NO BAN ON HAJJ PILGRIMS TO DATE
1. (SBU) The Ministry of Health (MOH) has reported six deaths
and a total of 595 H1N1 cases to date. The six H1N1 victims
range in age from 15 to 32 years, and span the country,
including the Eastern, Qassim, Asir, and Riyadh provinces.
Many of the victims reportedly suffered from chronic
illnesses, and Health Minister Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said
August 2 that the Ministry would conduct full inquiries into
the deaths. The family of one of the deceased and the Sri
Lankan Charge d'Affaires contend that hospitals in Dammam and
Riyadh, respectively, did not diagnose two of the victims
properly. They claim the victims visited area hospitals
numerous times before being diagnosed too late to provide
treatment.
2. (SBU) The MOH reportedly ordered four million doses of
H1N1 vaccine from multinational pharmaceutical companies to
treat Hajj and Umra pilgrims. The first shipment of vaccines
is expected to arrive by the end of October.
3. (SBU) Despite confusing press reports, the Saudi
government has not issued a ban on Hajj pilgrims of any age
or health condition. They have issued a travel advisory
urging vulnerable populations to postpone Umra, but insist
that the decision to make either pilgrimage to the Kingdom
remains a personal one. Although H1N1 has disproportionately
affected teens and young people in the Kingdom, Al-Rabeeah
maintains that the Ministry considers the elderly, pregnant
women, and children under 12 at higher risk of suffering from
H1N1-related complications. Al-Rabeeah assured the public
August 4 that the H1N1 situation did not call for concern as
most cases have been moderate with a recovery rate of more
than 90 percent.
ERDMAN
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP (HARRIS)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL TBIO KFLU CASC ASEC BEXP SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI H1N1 UPDATE: SIX DEATHS, VACCINES ORDERED,
NO BAN ON HAJJ PILGRIMS TO DATE
1. (SBU) The Ministry of Health (MOH) has reported six deaths
and a total of 595 H1N1 cases to date. The six H1N1 victims
range in age from 15 to 32 years, and span the country,
including the Eastern, Qassim, Asir, and Riyadh provinces.
Many of the victims reportedly suffered from chronic
illnesses, and Health Minister Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said
August 2 that the Ministry would conduct full inquiries into
the deaths. The family of one of the deceased and the Sri
Lankan Charge d'Affaires contend that hospitals in Dammam and
Riyadh, respectively, did not diagnose two of the victims
properly. They claim the victims visited area hospitals
numerous times before being diagnosed too late to provide
treatment.
2. (SBU) The MOH reportedly ordered four million doses of
H1N1 vaccine from multinational pharmaceutical companies to
treat Hajj and Umra pilgrims. The first shipment of vaccines
is expected to arrive by the end of October.
3. (SBU) Despite confusing press reports, the Saudi
government has not issued a ban on Hajj pilgrims of any age
or health condition. They have issued a travel advisory
urging vulnerable populations to postpone Umra, but insist
that the decision to make either pilgrimage to the Kingdom
remains a personal one. Although H1N1 has disproportionately
affected teens and young people in the Kingdom, Al-Rabeeah
maintains that the Ministry considers the elderly, pregnant
women, and children under 12 at higher risk of suffering from
H1N1-related complications. Al-Rabeeah assured the public
August 4 that the H1N1 situation did not call for concern as
most cases have been moderate with a recovery rate of more
than 90 percent.
ERDMAN