VZCZCXRO7485
RR RUEHHM
DE RUEHHM #0338/01 1261039
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 061039Z MAY 09
FM AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5693
INFO RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA 0001
RUEFHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI 3747
RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 5929

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 HO CHI MINH CITY 000338 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR CA/OCS/EAP, DS/IP/EAP; EAP/MLS, EAP/EX 
M/PRI FOR (MORRITZ, ROBIN) 
SES-O FOR (PARRA, ELIAS), AAIT, OESIHA, MED 
HHS FOR OGHA (JKULIKOWSKI, ACUMMINGS, DMILLER) 
CDC ATLANTA FOR CCID AND COGH 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: TBIO AMED AEMR AMGT CASC EAGR PINR MG KFLU KFLO
KPREL, KSAF, KPAO, ASEC, KSEO, VM 
SUBJECT: TFFLU01 HCMC H1N1 INFLUENZA CONTAINMENT MEASURES:  PASSENGER 
SCREENING, PUBLIC OUTREACH, NO TRAVEL OR PORK IMPORT BANS 
 
REF: A) STATE 41768, B) STATE 6306; C) STATE 67922 AND 67936 [2008]; D. STATE 42349 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary.  As of COB May 6, there have been no confirmed 
reports of the novel H1N1 influenza A in humans or livestock in 
Vietnam.  As over 70 percent of international arrivals enter the 
country through HCMC, the virus is expected to make its Vietnam 
debut here.  Authorities state that thermal scanning of 
international arrivals began April 26, and that procedures to 
diagnose, quarantine, and treat H1N1 influenza patients are in 
place.  End Summary. 
 
 
 
No Confirmed H1N1 Flu Cases in Vietnam 
 
-------------------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶2. (SBU) There are no confirmed human cases of H1N1 influenza A 
in Vietnam and HCMC officials have ruled out several suspected 
cases using clinical testing.  As over 70 percent of 
international arrivals enter Vietnam through HCMC, the virus is 
expected to make its Vietnam debut here.  Local media reported 
that on May 3 two Vietnamese children returning from Hong Kong, 
two Vietnamese Americans, a Dane and an Australian were 
quarantined after exhibiting high body temperatures detected by 
thermal scanning upon arrival at HCMC's Tan Son Nhat 
International Airport.  Head of Medical Affairs of the HCMC 
Department of Health (DOH) Dr. Phan Van Nghiem told ConGen on 
May 4 that all six had tested negative for H1N1 influenza A and 
had been discharged. 
 
 
 
Media Sounds Influenza Alarm 
 
---------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶3. (U) Vietnam's major dailies and television outlets are 
providing extensive daily coverage of the H1N1 influenza 
outbreaks in Mexico and the United States, and its spread 
overseas.  Most stories conclude with practical tips on 
identifying symptoms and avoiding flu contagion and urge readers 
and viewers to seek medical treatment if afflicted.  Physicians 
working in the field are also posting influenza treatment and 
avoidance guidelines on media websites. 
 
 
 
Officials Spread Public Health Info 
 
---------------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶4. (SBU) Human and animal health officials are directing public 
outreach efforts to educate the general public and swine farmers 
about H1N1 risks and precautions.  Dr. Tu, Head of Department of 
Microbiology and Immunology, of the HCMC Pasteur Institute, said 
his organization is conducting outreach training for 
representatives from provincial preventive medicine centers in 
southern Vietnam, so that these centers can then effectively 
educate the public regarding the H1N1 swine flu threat.  Deputy 
Director of the Region VI Animal Health Center Dr. Phuong said 
the HCMC Department of Animal Health has issued a memorandum to 
provincial animal health centers under its jurisdiction 
requiring them to issue H1N1 influenza A guidelines and 
warnings, urging provincial centers to strengthen monitoring, 
prevention, and outreach activities.  (Note:  Region VI 
encompasses 11 provinces: HCMC, Ba Ria Vung Tau, Dong Nai, Binh 
Duong, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Long An, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Ninh 
Thuan, Binh Thuan. End Note.) 
 
 
 
Incoming International Travelers Screened 
 
----------------------------------------- 
 
 
 
HO CHI MIN 00000338  002 OF 003 
 
 
 
¶5. (SBU) Dr. Hiep from the HCMC International Health Quarantine 
Center said that Tan Son Nhat airport authorities have been 
thermally scanning arriving international passengers since April 
26, and that health personnel and equipment are on stand-by to 
screen arriving cruise ship passengers in HCMC and neighboring 
Ba Ria Vung Tau province.  The DOH's Dr. Nghiem told ConGen that 
incoming passengers must also now fill out declarations 
describing their recent medical history.  No plans are in place 
to screen overland passengers arriving from Cambodia according 
to Dr. Hiep. 
 
 
 
Diagnosis, Quarantine, Treatment Protocols in Place 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
 
 
¶6. (SBU) Authorities confirm that diagnosis and treatment 
protocols for passengers suspected of H1N1 infection are in 
place.  According to Dr. Tu, incoming passengers who scan 
positive or exhibit flu systems will be transferred to HCMC 
Tropical Disease Hospital for further diagnosis.  Both the 
Pasteur Institute and the HCMC Tropical Disease Hospital (TDH) 
have the capability to diagnose the H1N1 influenza A virus, but 
cannot identify the specific subtype of current interest.  Dr. 
Tu expects testing kits with that capability to arrive at the 
Institute in several days, courtesy of the U.S. Center for 
Disease Control and Prevention.  Passengers diagnosed with this 
H1N1 influenza will be quarantined and treated at the TDH, the 
Pham Ngoc Tuberculosis Hospital or Pediatric Hospitals Numbers 
One and Two, with the protocol used for H5N1 avian flu cases. 
Dr. Tu noted that a new treatment protocol specific to H1N1 
swine flu will be put in place as soon as it is received from 
the World Health Organization (WHO).  According to HCMC DOH's 
Dr. Nhiem, the four aforementioned hospitals have two hundred 
beds available to treat H1N1 cases, with an additional surge 
capacity of 1000 beds. 
 
 
 
No Travel or Treatment Restrictions on Foreigners 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
 
 
¶7. (SBU) Dr. Hiep from the HCMC International Health Quarantine 
Center confirmed that there are no travel restrictions currently 
in place for passengers from affected areas. Dr. Nghiem noted 
that no distinction will be made between foreign and Vietnamese 
patients with respect to treatment of H1N1 infections.  (Note: 
Currently, foreign patients cannot be admitted to the HCMC 
Tropical Disease Hospital without the permission of high level 
hospital officials.  End Note.) 
 
 
 
No Pork Import Restrictions 
 
--------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶8. (SBU) The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and 
HCMC authorities have told us that the GVN has no plans to ban 
pork imports.  Imported pork is being inspected, and where 
necessary, quarantined as per usual procedures. 
 
 
 
¶9. (SBU) Comment:  Capacity and experience developed by HCMC 
authorities in dealing with outbreaks of H5N1 highly pathogenic 
avian influenza will likely prove useful in preparing for a 
possible H1N1 influenza A outbreak.  HCMC authorities have taken 
a measured response, preparing for the eventuality of 
H1N1-infected travelers, but not overstepping into travel or 
pork importation bans.  Interestingly, government efforts also 
appear to be diffusing quickly into the private sector.  On his 
way to visit the Jabil Circuits Company in an outlying district 
 
HO CHI MIN 00000338  003 OF 003 
 
 
of HCMC, Ambassador Michalak not only passed a large billboard 
reading "H1N1 Influenza is a Danger to All" but he and his party 
were thermally scanned before entering the facility.   End 
Comment. 
 
 
 
¶10. (U) This cable was coordinated with Embassy Hanoi. 
FAIRFAX