Cablegate: Mission Germany Pandemic Influenza Working Group

VZCZCXRO6036
RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDF RUEHDH RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHMA RUEHPB
RUEHPOD RUEHSL RUEHTM RUEHTRO
DE RUEHRL #1200 2711539
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 281539Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5325
INFO RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE
RUCNFRG/FRG COLLECTIVE
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0859
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1565

UNCLAS BERLIN 001200

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/CE PETER SCHROEDER
STATE FOR OES/IHB
STATE FOR AID/GH/HIDN
USDA PASS TO APHIS
HHS PASS TO CDC
HHS FOR OGHA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO KFLU ECON PREL SOCI CASC GM
SUBJECT: Mission Germany Pandemic Influenza Working Group
Meeting Readout

REF: A) Berlin 495, B) Berlin 738 C) Berlin 1163 and
previous.

1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Following a September 18 meeting of Mission
Germany's Pandemic Influenza Working Group (PIWG), Mission
Germany remains under tripwire two. A core group of PIWG
members will begin meeting biweekly as we head into the flu
season. END SUMMARY

2. (U) Mission Germany's Pandemic Influenza Working Group
(PIWG) met by DVC September 18. The primary task was to
update members on the current situation in Germany and to
review the adequacy of local tripwires. Mission Germany
remains under tripwire two, which indicates clusters of
infection with only localized human-to-human transmission.
The H1N1 virus in Germany has not demonstrated high lethality
or caused widespread illness and absenteeism, as described in
tripwire three. A core group of PIWG members will begin
meeting every other week.

3. (SBU) Mission Health Unit confirmed adequate supplies of
personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves and
masks. Health Unit plans to vaccinate high risk groups first
and then all direct hire Americans, as the supply of the H1N1
vaccine permits. LES will be encouraged to be vaccinated on
the local economy. The Health Unit is in contact with local
schools used by the Mission community and will be notified if
positive cases develop.

4. (SBU) Management emphasized the importance of cross
training all staff before the flu season begins, in case
absenteeism increases. RSO confirmed that guards have PPE and
are trained to identify visitors with flu-like symptoms.
Signs will be posted in Consular sections to discourage sick
customers from entering the section and to publicize
rescheduling procedures.

5. (SBU) Consulates Frankfurt, Munich, and Hamburg reported
no new cases in international schools. Frankfurt schools have
disseminated school emergency plans to all families. Hamburg
noted that some preparations are already in place for a
potential increase in H1N1 cases due to cross-training and
widespread use of FOBs and Blackberries.

MURPHY

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