MGSF01 GEORGIA'S SWINE FLU RESPONSE

UNCLAS TBILISI 000840 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR AMGT, MG, GG SUBJECT: MGSF01 GEORGIA'S SWINE FLU RESPONSE REF: A) STATE 41768, B) STATE 42349 ¶1. (SBU) As of May 1, no cases of swine flu have been reported in Georgia. The EAC convened on April 28, ensured that pandemic tripwires were reviewed, and shared ref A with American employees per ref A. Schools with U.S. Embassy dependents have been notified of the swine flu problem. Appropriate information from the Department is being posted on the Embassy website. ¶2. (SBU) The Embassy Health Unit's SOPS are being reviewed and medications and personal protective equipment readied. The infectious disease Hospital in Tbilisi confirmed that the complex has isolation capabilities and ventilators should they be needed. We are also working with the National CDC office in Tbilisi to determine how to get samples collected so that they can be shipped to a reference library in London if needed. ¶3. (SBU) In Georgia, the Government is watching reports from Mexico and the U.S. closely. Deputy FM Nalbandov told poloff that Georgia has advised its citizens to defer travel to Mexico. Local authorities have begun monitoring the arrival of airline passengers from countries where outbreaks have been reported, including the United States, and registering the local destination of the traveler before the traveler is admitted into the country. The list of countries also includes Mexico, Canada, Israel, Italy, Germany, Spain, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Passengers arriving from those countries who are found to be ill will be referred to the Georgian Ministry of Health for further consultation. TEFFT