LAOS H1N1 INFLUENZA UPDATE: THREE CASES CONFIRMED

UNCLAS VIENTIANE 000303 SIPDIS STATE FOR OES/IHB:JJONES, CPATTERSON; EAP DHANNEMAN; EAP/MLS JEMERY; CA/OCS/ACS/EAP YGOTOH; USAID/GBH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR AMGT, ECON, EAID, WHO, LA SUBJECT: LAOS H1N1 INFLUENZA UPDATE: THREE CASES CONFIRMED REF: VIENTIANE 289 ¶1. Laos' second and third cases of H1N1 influenza were confirmed this week. The two new cases are members of an American family that had just arrived from the U.S. for a visit. The elevated body temperature of the young Amcit son was picked up by an airport thermal scanner on arrival in Vientiane June 21; he then tested positive for H1N1. The boy's Lao national LPR mother, who accompanied the boy to a local hospital for treatment, tested positive herself on June ¶23. The boy's Amcit father has so far tested negative for H1N1. The two cases are reportedly not serious; our Consular Section has been in contact with the hospital and the family. ¶2. Following identification of Laos' first H1N1 case last week (see reftel),the Prime Minister issued an order for a public relations campaign to raise awareness of hygience practices that can help minimize the spread of influenza. The campaign is aimed at public gathering places - schools, factories, bus stations, entertainment venues, etc. This week, the GOL's National Emerging Infectious Disease Coordination Office (NEIDCO) will meet with the Association of Tuk-tuk, Jumbo and Taxi Drivers to pass on information for circulation among public transport drivers, who commonly associate with foreign visitors that are currently seen as the most important H1N1 vectors in Laos. HUSO