TWO CONFIRMED SWINE FLU CASES IN ISRAEL

UNCLAS TEL AVIV 000949 SENSITIVE SIPDIS NIH FOR INTERNATIONAL DEPT FOR OES/IHB,NEA/IPA,AND CA/OCS MED FOR SRINIVASAN AND MCFADDEN HHS/OSSI FOR MARK ABDY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU TBIO AMED CASC WHO IS SUBJECT: TWO CONFIRMED SWINE FLU CASES IN ISRAEL REF: A) STATE 41745 B) TEL AVIV 932 ¶1. (SBU) Two cases of swine flu have been confirmed by viral sequencing performed at Tel Hashomer Hospital as of April 28. Ministry of Health Officials and the director-general of the hospital only yesterday (ref B) characterized the first of the two cases as just a "slim" chance of swine flu. First case is a 26-year old man who remains in isolation in Laniado Hospital in Netanya, but is reportedly in excellent condition and likely will be discharged soon. He checked into the hospital two days after returning from a trip to Mexico. He had no known exposure to pigs. He was treated with a standard course of Tamiflu 75 mg twice daily. Whether related to the medication or not, the patient showed rapid improvement in 24 hours. ¶2. (SBU) The second case, a 46-year old male, checked into the Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba within 24 hours of arrival from Mexico. He arrived with mild disease symptoms and responded quickly to Tamiflu. ¶3. (U) The Israeli Ministry of Health is urging delay of all non-essential travel to Mexico, and in parallel with WHO action has upgraded the country's preparedness status from 3 to 4. Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Netanyahu will be holding a special meeting later this evening to discuss the status of Israel's swine flu preparedness and is expected to task the Deputy Minister of Defense Matan Vilnai with ensuring Israel's readiness on the matter. However, due to the quick hospitalization and isolation of the two men, no further infection is expected as a result of either of these cases. CUNNINGHAM