MGSF01 UPDATE ON H1N1 OUTBREAK IN JAPAN

UNCLAS TOKYO 001171 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 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU AEMR AESC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR AMGT, MG, EAGR, JA SUBJECT: MGSF01 UPDATE ON H1N1 OUTBREAK IN JAPAN REF: TOKYO 1161 and previous ¶1. (U) Summary: Cases of H1N1 infection were reported in previously unaffected areas in Japan, although only in isolated cases. One additional case was reported in Tokyo City in a woman who returned from the United States May 19. The GOJ implemented a new policy to respond to the less virulent H1N1 influenza May 22. The new policy allows for more flexible responses to minimize the impact on daily activity. The new policy eliminated most of the airport screening and isolation procedures. As of May 22 0800, the GOJ halted on-board screenings for flights from the U.S., Canada and Mexico, unless there is a passenger having H1N1 influenza-like symptoms on board. The GOJ also ended the practice of sequestering passengers who sat near an infected person, and monitoring by telephone of passengers on flights with infected passengers. Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura sought to play down the threat by comparing H1N1 to seasonal flu in remarks to the press. End Summary. ¶2. (U) As of May 22, 2009 10:00 local time, media report 294 confirmed human cases of the novel Type A H1N1 influenza in Japan. No H1N1 influenza deaths have been reported. There are no reports of H1N1 infection among Americans in Japan. ¶3. (U) Individuals infected with the H1N1 influenza were confirmed in six prefectures including Osaka, Hyogo, Kyoto, Kanagawa and Saitama. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government confirmed the second case of H1N1 in Tokyo City May 21. The subject, a woman in her 30s living in Meguro-ward of Tokyo, traveled to Florida and San Francisco from May 6 to 18 and developed a high fever after returning to Tokyo May 19 on NW flight 27. The first H1N1 case was confirmed in Saitama Prefecture near Tokyo May 20. A 29-year old man developed a high fever after returning to Saitama from Osaka and Kyoto May 19. A 10-year old boy living in Kyoto, who had not traveled outside of that region, is reported to be that city's first confirmed case of H1N1. ¶4. (U) The GOJ implemented a new policy to respond to the less virulent H1N1 influenza May 22. The new policy allows for more flexible responses to minimize the impact on daily activity. The previous policy was set to address the more virulent H5N1 virus and called for more stringent measures for affected areas. The new policy sets out different guidelines for responding to an outbreak depending on the number of cases and spread of the disease. In general, the measures are less stringent than the previous guidelines, such as allowing patients in stable condition to remain at home and only closing schools with confirmed cases of the virus. ¶5. (U) The new policy eliminated most of the airport screening and isolation procedures. As of May 22 0800, the GOJ halted on-board screenings for flights from the U.S., Canada and Mexico, unless there is a passenger having H1N1 influenza-like symptoms on board. The GOJ also ended the practice of sequestering for seven days passengers who sat near an infected person, and the seven day monitoring by telephone of passengers on flights with infected passengers. ¶6. (U) Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura told reporters the virus should be considered more like a seasonal flu than a more deadly disease such as Avian influenza or SARS, at a May 22 press conference. He advised people to remain cautious but calm. ZUMWALT