VZCZCXRO0572
OO RUEHPB RUEHPT
DE RUEHBY #0415 1180739
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 280739Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1430
INFO RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 2092
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 9448
RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI 1855
RUEHJA/AMEMBASSY JAKARTA 5426
RUEHKL/AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR 2577
RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 1997
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 9777
RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 1716
RUEHSV/AMEMBASSY SUVA 1532
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 3511
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 5753
RUEHBN/AMCONSUL MELBOURNE 6291
RUEHPT/AMCONSUL PERTH 4554
RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 4514
RUEAHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM

UNCLAS CANBERRA 000415 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EXECSEC LIBBY, AIAG FOR WINN; STATE PLEASE PASS 
DHHS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL
PINR, AMGT, MG, AS 
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA H1N1 SITREP 28 APRIL 2009 
 
REF: A. SECSTATE 42324 
     ¶B. SECSTATE 41745 
 
¶1. (SBU) The following is a SITREP covering Australia's 
response to the H1N1 outbreak. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Government Response:  The GOA is actively monitoring 
the spread of H1N1 globally, and activated a National 
Incident Room command post, led by the Department of Health 
and Ageing (DOHA), on April 26 (this NIR was in place to deal 
with the arrival of refugees on Ashmore Reef, but has been 
extended to deal with H1N1).  The Minister of Health, Nicola 
Roxon, has been in close contact with relevant state 
authorities through the Australian Health Protection 
Committee (AHPC) and has instituted screening measures for 
incoming air passengers.  This screening consists of active 
non-automatic pratique measures for all flights originating 
or picking up passengers in the Americas.  This includes 
in-flight instructions to report illness to flight crew and 
reporting by flight crew of suspected illness for screening 
by quarantine and health officers on arrival.  The 
Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer has notified general 
practitioners on H1N1 and DOHA has provided information to 
emergency departments, border screeners, and first 
responders.  The Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference 
Laboratory is the WHO collaborating center for influenza in 
Australia.  The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 
(DFAT) added information about H1N1 in the United States to 
its U.S. travel advisory on April 27.  The advisory does not 
warn Australians against traveling to the U.S., but suggests 
they consult a physician or hospital if they suffer from flu 
symptoms. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Case Count: As of 1700 local time April 28, 
Australian health authorities are according to media 
investigating at least 45 suspected cases in the Australian 
Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, 
Tasmania, and Western Australia, but have so far not 
confirmed any H1N1 cases. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Post Actions: Post is working with DOHA to monitor 
the situation, and issued a management notice on April 28 
providing updated information for post personnel.  The EAC is 
scheduled to meet on April 29 to review pandemic influenza 
tripwires and additional actions under the post pandemic 
plan.  A Town Hall meeting was already scheduled for April 29 
and Charge and post management are prepared to provide 
information on H1N1 in that meeting. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Consular Issues: As of 1600 local time April 28, 
there are no reported consular cases involving H1N1 or 
Australian screening measures. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Public Diplomacy: The H1N1 outbreak is front page 
news in all media, and U.S. actions are being closely 
followed.  There have been no direct inquiries as of April 
¶28. 
 
CLUNE