VZCZCXRO9585
RR RUEHAST RUEHCHI RUEHDH RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHNH RUEHPB
RUEHPOD RUEHSL RUEHTM RUEHTRO
DE RUEHKL #0663/01 2231253
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 111253Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3081
INFO RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1758
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC
RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUALA LUMPUR 000663 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR CA/OCS/EAP 
STATE FOR M/PRI FOR RMORRITZ 
STATE FOR S/ES-O/CMS FOR EPARRA 
STATE FOR EAP/MTS FOR DBISCHOF 
STATE FOR OES/AIAG FOR AMBASSSADOR LOFTIS, DWINN AND 
CPATTERSON 
STATE FOR REO/BKK FOR HHOWARD 
STATE FOR OES/IHB, AAIT, MED 
HHS FOR OGHA STEIGER AND HICKEY 
CDC ATLANTA FOR CCID AND COGH 
USDA FOR APHIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC AMED CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL
PINR, AMGT, TF, MY 
SUBJECT: MALAYSIA H1N1 UPDATE - August 11, 2009 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Ministry of Health (MOH) has reported 14 
H1N1-related deaths in the last 48 hours bringing the total to 32 
deaths.  The Embassy community has experienced its first suspected 
cases, both involving non-school age children of employees who have 
been treated and are now recovering.  In consultation with RMO 
Singapore, the Mission reviewed its H1N1 procedures and issued 
updated influenza guidance to the Mission community.  END SUMMARY. 
 
------------ 
MOH Response 
------------ 
 
¶2. (SBU) MOH has reported 32 total H1N1 related deaths, with 14 in 
the last two days.  The confirmed caseload continues to grow with 
1780 total cases since the onset of the pandemic.  However, MOH is 
now in a mitigation mode, which means the confirmed caseload 
understates the actual situation; MOH is not testing or subtyping 
those who report to private hospitals and clinics or those who are 
at low risk and choose to treat themselves.  The region has also 
been severely impacted by haze from fires in Indonesia and Malaysia 
(will be reported septel).  The haze has created unhealthy air 
quality, which can further complicate influenza illness. 
 
¶3. (SBU) PM Najib has expressed his concern with the spread of the 
disease and the uptick in flu-related fatalities,  and stated on 
August 10 that he "will ask the Health Minister for tighter measures 
and more drastic steps that the Government should take on this 
matter." It remains unclear what those steps might entail, but are 
likely to include social distancing measures.  Najib has asked that 
unnecessary public gatherings be canceled. Penang chief minister Lim 
Guan Eng stated that the state-level National Day (August 31) 
celebrations in Penang may be postponed. The Deputy Prime Minister 
Muhyiddin Yassin (who is also the Education Minister) said that 
Education Ministry has contingency plans, including adjusting the 
dates for public examinations, if the Influenza situation forces 
school closures.  The State education directors would decide on the 
possibility of school closures on the advice of health authorities. 
 
 
¶4. (SBU) The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) where most 
of the children of Mission staff attend school, welcomed students 
back to school last week, which required them to quickly organize a 
screening and self-reporting operation at the entrances to both ISKL 
campuses on the first day of school.   ISKL also has an H1N1 action 
plan in place, which includes plans for "virtual schooling" in the 
event that a decision is made to close the school for any length of 
time.  ISKL's School Nurse has experience working in Asia during the 
SARS epidemic, and has been instrumental in compiling the school's 
action plan. 
 
--------------------------------- 
H1N1 within the Embassy Community 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) On August 7, the infant child of an American Mission 
employee began showing influenza-like symptoms and was taken to the 
ER of a local hospital over the weekend for evaluation.   The rapid 
test confirmed Influenza A.  As such, the case was treated as H1N1 
but was not subtyped for confirmation, which is in accordance with 
MOH protocol.  The infant was given oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and 
released, and is recovering well at home. 
 
¶6. (SBU) On August 10, a local Mission employee reported that her 
child exhibited flu like symptoms, who was later confirmed to have 
Influenza A via the rapid test at a local hospital. The child was 
treated and is recovering at home. 
 
---------------- 
Post's Actions 
---------------- 
 
¶7. (SBU) Country team discussed the H1N1 situation on August 10 and 
 
KUALA LUMP 00000663  002 OF 002 
 
 
decided to issue an updated management notice.  The notice was 
prepared in consultation with the RMO in Singapore and provided 
Mission staff and family members with guidance on steps to be taken 
in the event flu like symptoms are experienced or observed.  The 
notice also describes the support that can be provided by the Post 
medical unit and RMO Singapore and reemphasizes observing good 
personal hygiene habits and staying home if sick. 
 
KEITH