MGSF01 May 5 UPDATE ON JAPAN'S RESPONSE TO H1N1 OUTBREAK

UNCLAS TOKYO 001030 DEPT FOR OES/IHB AMBASSADOR LOFTIS DEPT FOR EAP/J, EAP/EX, CA USDA PASS TO APHIS, FAS FOR BURDETT HHS PASS TO CDC HHS FOR OGHA DEPT PASS TO AID/GH/HIDN SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU AEMR AESC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR AMGT, MG, EAGR, JA SUBJECT: MGSF01 May 5 UPDATE ON JAPAN'S RESPONSE TO H1N1 OUTBREAK REF: A) TOKYO 965; B) TOKYO 982; C) TOKYO 993; D)TOKYO 1008; E)TOKYO 1024 This Message is Sensitive but Unclassified. Please handle accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) Summary: No human cases of the novel H1N1 influenza virus have been confirmed in Japan. A U.S. service member was under observation at Kansai International Airport May 5 after a passenger on the service member's flight showed flu symptoms. A Japanese woman who arrived from Los Angeles at Narita airport May 4 and initially tested positive for Type A influenza was later confirmed not to be infected with the novel strain. At least 35 other passengers and two flight attendants were quarantined for more than 12 hours pending confirmation of the virus. The infant hospitalized at Yokota Air Base May 1 was determined May 3 not to be infected with the novel H1N1 strain. The child and mother, along with 13 other passengers quarantined pending results of virus testing, were released May 3. In coordination with U.S. Forces Japan, the GOJ, and Post, Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases confirmed a virus sample from the infant to be a seasonal influenza strain. End summary. ¶2. (U) As of May 5, 2009 1700 local time, no human cases of the novel Type A H1N1 influenza virus have been confirmed in Japan. ¶3. (SBU) Foreign Ministry officials told emboffs May 5 a U.S. service member who arrived on a flight at Kansai International Airport (KIX) was under observation after a passenger seated nearby showed flu symptoms. Post is working to obtain further details. ¶4. (SBU) Media reported a Japanese woman who arrived on American Airlines from Los Angeles at Narita airport May 4 and initially tested positive for Type A influenza was later confirmed not to be infected with the novel H1N1 strain. At least 35 other passengers and two flight attendants were quarantined for at least 12 hours pending confirmation of the virus. Quarantine officers continue to board flights arriving from the U.S., Mexico, Canada and other affected countries and health screening and quarantine procedures continue to cause significant delays for some arriving passengers. ¶5. (SBU) Based on information from USFJ and the Embassy, the Foreign Ministry announced May 3 that the 4 month-old child hospitalized upon arrival at Yokota Air Base May 1 was not infected with the novel H1N1 influenza virus. Results of tests conducted by Japan's National Institute for Infectious Diseases (NIID) confirmed the infant had seasonal flu. The USFJ reported the baby had returned to normal health and was released from isolation with the mother May 3. Thirteen other passengers seated near the infant on the U.S. Air Force's May 1 "Patriot Express" flight were also released from observation May 3. The USFJ and the Embassy conveyed to the GOJ that U.S. military installations will continue to conduct screening for passengers entering Japan in a manner similar to those measures implemented at Japanese civilian airports. (Note: The USFJ initially sent virus samples from the infant to U.S.-based labs for confirmation expected within a number of days. Late on May 1, Japanese government officials contacted the Embassy with an offer to test a sample at Japan's NIID. In coordination with the Embassy, MOFA, and the Ministry of Health, USFJ delivered a sample from the infant to NIID the morning of May 2. The NIID confirmed the case was the "Soviet" strain of Type A influenza just after midnight May 3. End Note). ZUMWALT