VZCZCXRO8684
PP RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR
DE RUEHDO #0656/01 3081324
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 041324Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY DOHA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9480
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 0528
INFO RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/FAA NATIONAL HQ WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DOHA 000656 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
RIYADH FOR RMO MSRINIVASAN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KFLU AEMR AMED ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO
PREL, PINR, AMGT, MG, QA 
SUBJECT: EMBASSY REVIEWS READINESS FOR SEVERE H1N1 OUTBREAK 
 
REF: A. STATE 0099088 
     ¶B. DOHA 513 
 
---------------- 
(SBU) KEY POINTS 
---------------- 
 
-- On October 25, Pandemic Influenza Working Group (PIWG) met 
to discuss Embassy's preparedness for a severe influenza 
pandemic in light of reftel guidance and the current state of 
H1N1 infection in Qatar.  Included in the discussion was a 
review of the Management Notices and Warden Messages issued 
by the Embassy over the last six months. 
 
-- Embassy nurse reported that the health unit had acquired 
seasonal influenza vaccines through the local health 
authorities and hoped to do the same for the H1N1 vaccine. 
 
-- Two Embassy dependents were diagnosed with H1N1 during the 
summer break, and one LES contracted a probable case in 
Yemen. 
 
-- PIWG reviewed preparations already made by Embassy to cope 
with a severe influenza pandemic, and DCM designated 
responsibilities for addressing issues related to potential 
water and food shortages in the event of a severe outbreak. 
 
-- Embassy awaits forthcoming guidance from Washington to 
finalize our review of pandemic influenza tripwires. 
 
End Key Points. 
 
¶1. (SBU) On October 25, the Pandemic Influenza Working Group 
(PIWG) met, as requested reftel, to review the current status 
of H1N1 infection Qatar and the steps that the Embassy has 
taken to prepare for a severe influenza outbreak, should that 
occur.  DCM chaired the meeting with representatives from 
P/E, PAO, OMC, CONS, CLO, Health Unit, Camp As-Saliyah, and 
Al Udeid Air Base in attendance. 
 
¶2. (SBU) The Management and Consular Sections reported that 
the following H1N1-related Warden Notices and Management 
Notices had been issued during the past six months: 
 
-- April 30 Warden Notice: H1N1 Influenza A 
-- June 17 Warden Notice: H1N1 Influenza Cases in Qatar 
-- August 10 Management Notice: RMO Information Session 
-- August 27 Management Notice: H1N1 General Reminder 
-- October 6 Management Notice: Influenza Vaccinations 
 
¶3. (SBU) The nurse reported that the Embassy had secured 
sufficient seasonal influenza vaccines for the Embassy 
community through Hamad Hospital.  She said that the H1N1 
vaccine has not yet been shipped from the U.S., and there is 
currently no target date for delivery.  The health unit had 
administered 82 doses of the seasonal vaccine to date, and a 
number of Embassy children were vaccinated at school.  She 
said that all 23 primary health care facilities in the 
country should have adequate supplies of the seasonal 
vaccine, and that the level of communication between the 
public health authorities and the health unit remains good. 
(Note: Media reported November 1 that a first batch of 20,000 
doses of H1N1 vaccine had arrived in Qatar and would be used 
primarily to vaccinate those going on the Hajj pilgrimage. 
The pilgrimage season begins at the end of November. End 
note.) 
 
¶4. (SBU) The DCM asked about the current state of affairs 
within the Embassy community and in Qatari society generally. 
 The nurse replied that two Embassy dependents had confirmed 
diagnoses of H1N1 during the summer break, and that one LES 
was considered "highly probable" for H1N1 (contracted during 
leave in Yemen).  U.S. military representatives noted that 
there have been two confirmed cases at Camp As-Saliyah, with 
three more suspected cases awaiting official confirmation. 
 
¶5. (SBU) In Qatari society generally, the nurse reported that 
the public health authorities had stopped testing for H1N1, 
and as a matter of course are now giving suspected H1N1 
sufferers a supply of Tamiflu and sending them home, rather 
than placing them in isolation.  Two schools were closed the 
previous week because of H1N1 cases among the student 
population. (Note: On October 29, subsequent to the PIWG 
 
DOHA 00000656  002 OF 002 
 
 
meeting, the Supreme Council of Health reported the fourth 
death from H1N1 in Qatar.  The victim was a 13 year-old boy 
who suffered from Down's syndrome.  End Note.) Separately, 
the Consular Chief reported that he had received no 
communications from the U.S. citizen population indicating 
particular alarm about H1N1 influenza and CLO reported the 
same with respect to the Embassy community. 
 
¶6. (SBU) The PIWG reviewed the steps taken by the Embassy to 
date to prepare for a severe influenza pandemic and 
identified areas warranting additional measures.  The group 
noted reftel guidance that personnel should be instructed to 
store sufficient food for 12 weeks, the time that such a 
pandemic would likely last.  Management Officer noted that 
his section was responsible for ensuring an adequate water 
supply to the Mission community, and the group identified 
additional sources of emergency supplies of water such as 
residential holding tanks and swimming pools.  Management 
Officer also reported that the cascade telephone list -- used 
to notify Embassy personnel in the event of an emergency -- 
was recently updated. 
 
¶7. (SBU) The group discussed sanitary procedures within the 
Embassy. The Embassy nurse said that 40 hand sanitizers had 
been received and are scheduled to be installed at various 
locations in the Embassy. All agreed that the janitorial 
staff could do a better job of cleaning commonly-touched 
areas such as counters and door-handles in the Embassy. 
 
¶8. (SBU) The Consular Chief reminded the group of the 
importance of the 'no double standard' mandate and of 
ensuring that relevant information regarding recommended 
actions passed to the Embassy community is also passed to the 
American community at large. 
 
¶9. (SBU) The PIWG noted that it had begun revising its 
pandemic flu tripwires soon after the initial H1N1 outbreak. 
The Embassy now awaits additional guidance from the 
Department promised reftel to close out this effort. 
 
¶10. (SBU) Based upon these discussions and reftel contents, 
DCM assigned action on several items: 
 
For Management: 
-- Formulate and present to the PIWG for discussion a plan 
for water conservation and distribution in the event of 
failure of the public water supply. 
 
-- Develop an internal communications action plan to promote 
Mission awareness of and adherence to sound health practices. 
 
-- Work with the janitorial staff to ensure regular cleaning 
of commonly-touched areas, including counters, door panels 
and door-handles. 
 
-- For OMC: Contact Al Udeid Air Base and determine what 
access the Embassy might have to Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) in 
the event of a sustained food shortage. 
LeBaron