SWINE FLU INFLUENZA UPDATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 041745

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT AMED CASC TBIO ASEC KFLU KSAF KSEO KPAO
SUBJECT: SWINE FLU INFLUENZA UPDATE

Reftel: (A)State 6306, (B)08 State 67922, (C)08 State
67936


1. Summary: This telegram provides information for
employees at diplomatic and consular posts on health
issues related to the recent cluster of cases of
influenza-like respiratory illness that are occurring in
the United State and Mexico due to a swine flu virus.
This virus contains a unique genetic makeup that has not
been reported previously. This cable provides information
about isolated cases of non-lethal swine flu which have
been reported in Southern California, Kansas and near San
Antonio, Texas, as well as details of reports of a
possibly similar but more lethal strain which has been
reported in central Mexico. Additional sources of
information are cited at the bottom. The Department will
provide additional guidance as more information becomes
available. Post Management and EACs are strongly
encouraged to ensure that this telegram is brought to the
attention of all employees and that they integrate this
information into their security procedures and emergency
planning. This telegram is being sent for informational
and planning purposes. The World Health Organization
phase of pandemic alert remains unchanged at 3 and the
U.S. Federal Government remains at a Response Stage of 0.


2. Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of
pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly causes
outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses do
not normally infect humans; however, human infections with
swine flu do occur, and cases of human-to-human spread of
swine flu viruses have been documented.


3. Earlier this month, a cluster of influenza-like
respiratory illness in Southern California and near San
Antonio, Texas, was identified by the CDC to have been
caused by a type A, H1N1 swine flu virus which contains a
unique genetic makeup that has not been reported
previously among swine or human influenza viruses in the
U.S. or elsewhere. Additional cases have just been
confirmed in Kansas, and there is an ongoing investigation
of a cluster in New York City. So far there have been a
total of 10 confirmed cases in the U.S. Since none of the
cases had exposure to pigs, there is concern that
transmission is from human-to-human. The CDC and state
health organizations are presently evaluating the cluster
of influenza-like respiratory illness in New York City to
determine if these too are caused by the same virus. So
far, the cases in the U.S. have been relatively mild and
there have been no deaths.


4. Over the past few weeks, there has also been an
increase in influenza-like illnesses in Mexico and in the
past several days there have been press reports of severe
influenza illnesses and a number of deaths. Some of the
samples sent to the CDC for analysis have similar genetic
characteristics to the viruses collected from California
and Texas, but final analysis and comparison is pending.
The CDC is presently assisting the WHO and Mexican
Ministry of Health in responding to this public health
concern. Additional information concerning swine flu and
the epidemiological investigation underway in Mexico can
be found at www.cdc.gov/swineflu.


5. The Operations Center, American Embassy Mexico City,
OEM, OES/IHB, CA, MED and others are monitoring this
situation very closely and are working in coordination
with other government and international public health
agencies to gather information and to provide support to
investigational and response teams. Public health
officials have increased monitoring and surveillance
efforts both in the U.S. and in Mexico.


6. Posts are requested to review their pandemic influenza
plans and tripwires. (Reftel A provided posts with new
general tripwires to be part of current planning as a
basic minimum and posts were encouraged to incorporate
additional, country-specific information in their final
version of their pandemic influenza tripwires.) Posts are
also encouraged to review reftels B and C for additional
information and guidance. Post should also ensure that
supplies of masks, gloves, gowns, antiviral medication and
other supplies are adequate. Health units should increase
their surveillance of influenza-like illness and report
any increase in activity to MED/DASHO.


7. The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the
symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough,

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sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated
with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia
and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported
with swine flu infection in humans. Like seasonal flu,
swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic
medical conditions. Those experiencing any of these
influenza-like symptoms mentioned above and who have
recently traveled to Mexico or to areas in the U.S.
experiencing swine influenza cases should contact their
health unit and/or Regional Medical Officer to see if
additional testing or treatment is recommended.


8. All personnel are encouraged to follow the everyday
actions listed below that can help prevent the spread of
germs that cause respiratory illnesses like the influenza
illness.

--Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you
are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them
from getting sick too.

--If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands
when you are sick. You will help prevent others from
catching your illness.

--Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or
sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting
sick.

--Washing your hands often will help protect you from
germs. Germs are often spread when a person touches
something that is contaminated with germs and then touches
his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Get plenty of sleep, be
physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of
fluids, and eat nutritious food.


9. Addition information on swine flu and pandemic
influenza can also be accessed through
www.pandemicflu.gov. Further information on State
Department's actions can be found at
https://www.intelink.gov/wiki/Portal:Crisis_P andemic_Influ
enza.


10. Minimize considered.
CLINTON