VZCZCXRO1338
PP RUEHAO RUEHCD RUEHGA RUEHGD RUEHGR RUEHHA RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHMT
RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHQU RUEHRD RUEHRG RUEHRS RUEHTM RUEHVC
DE RUEHBH #0274/01 1182121
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 282121Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY NASSAU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6328
INFO RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NASSAU 000274 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR
AMGT, MG, BF 
 
SUBJECT:  GCOB ACTIVATING "STATE OF PREPAREDNESS" AGAINST SWINE FLU; 
MGSF01 
 
¶1.  (U) SUMMARY: The GCOB discussed measures to contain and prevent 
the spread of Swine Flu (H1N1) at air and sea ports of entry (POEs). 
 GCOB officials reported no confirmed cases of Swine Flu; however, 
the Ministry of Health (MoH) is currently at 24/7 operational 
capacity and is in a "state of preparedness."  Measures at POEs will 
include some form of quarantine and consultation with a national 
surveillance system for suspected/confirmed cases of the flu, 
although the MoH has yet to clarify the protocol for handling 
infected and potentially infected passengers.  The GCOB is aware of 
the need to act quickly and intends to implement screening measures 
with minimal inconvenience to tourists. Post will convene an EAC 
April 29 to review tripwires and its Emergency Action Plan.  .  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
---------------------------- 
GCOB Engagement on Swine Flu 
---------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (U) On April 27 and 28, ConOff and EconOff attended  meetings of 
officials from numerous GCOB agencies, including the Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs (MFA), MoH, Ministry of Tourism and Aviation (MoTA), 
Airport Authority, Florida Carribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), 
Bahamas Hotel Association and National Emergency Management Agency 
(NEMA) to discuss the Swine Flu outbreak and its anticipated impact 
on tourism, immigration and aviation.  All GCOB agencies have 
activated, or will shortly activate their pandemic response plan, 
according to the MoH.  MoH is operating 24/7and holding daily 
emergency meetings and press briefings as a part of its "elevated 
health and security" status.  NEMA will coordinate the GCOB response 
and the Ministry of Health will lead the effort in Swine Flu 
prevention.  MoH has activated its National Surveillance Advisory 
Body to track suspected and confirmed cases through a network of 
fifty (50) reporting sites dispersed throughout the country. MoH and 
MoTA will launch a public service announcement encouraging personal 
hygiene. The Bahamas Hotel Association has sent information to its 
175 constituent hoteliers on the flu and has enacted its "hurricane" 
policy to return deposits to customers who no longer wish to 
travel. 
 
------------------- 
Swine Flu in Abaco? 
------------------- 
 
¶3.  (U) There are no confirmed cases of swine flu as of 28 April 
¶2009.  However, the MoH announced it quarantined a group of Bahamian 
students and teachers recently returned from Mexico.  According to 
press reports, at least two students reported flu-like symptoms upon 
return.  Officials have not yet received lab results to determine 
whether the illness is the H1N1 swine flu. 
 
-------- 
Air POEs 
-------- 
 
¶4.  (U) The GCOB is enacting several additional screening measures 
at Ports of Entry (POEs) to limit the potential for infection among 
incoming tourists and visitors: 
 
-- MoT officials announced that all passengers at air and sea 
POEs will be required to fill out a screening form with questions 
related to their point of departure and places visited over the 
course of their travels.  The screening form will be used as of 
April 29. 
 
-- Signs will be posted in arrival terminals at all airports 
requesting passengers with flu-like symptoms report to a health desk 
or MoH health officer in the arrivals area. 
 
-- Airport authorities in New Providence will direct passengers 
exhibiting symptoms to a nurses' station.  There, nurses will ask 
passengers to put on a mask and then transport them to one of 40 
community clinics in New Providence for further evaluation and 
testing.  Inbound planes containing passengers exhibiting symptoms 
will be isolated upon arrival.  All passengers will be required to 
wait until the National Surveillance Advisory Board and the Port 
Health Officer determine appropriate quarantine procedures. 
 
¶5. (U) This policy applies to the airports on New Providence.  MoH 
officials are still determining where to direct affected passengers 
at the Family Island airports. 
 
¶6.  (U) The GCOB has not determined whether tourists and visitors 
with confirmed cases of Swine Flu will be deported or put into 
long-term quarantine. 
 
¶7.  (U) The MoTA, in conjunction with the MoH, will utilize marina 
databases in order to spread word to private yachts about new 
procedures at POEs.  The MoH will advertise a "hotline" number 
 
NASSAU 00000274  002 OF 002 
 
 
(1-242-502-4790)that tourists and residents can call to obtain 
information on swine flu and preventive measures. 
 
-------- 
Sea POEs 
-------- 
 
¶8.  (U) The MoH is also working with the FCCA to determine whether 
cruise companies' pre-departure health screening measures are 
sufficient to avoid additional screening upon arrival in Nassau.  To 
date, Royal Caribbean is the only company to have demonstrated 
sufficient pre-screening procedures for influenza symptoms.  The 
FCCA is currently in contact with Carnival Cruise Lines and Disney 
Cruise Lines to assess their screening operations. 
 
------------------- 
Cruises from Mexico 
------------------- 
 
¶9.  (U) According to the FCCA, the Carnival Cruise ship "Glory" is 
the only ship to regularly stop in Mexico before proceeding to 
Nassau.  It is next expected into Port on May 6.  The FCCA 
representative reported that there is talk of temporarily 
eliminating all Mexican ports of call in the ship's itinerary. 
 
Turks and Caicos Islands 
------------------------ 
¶10. According to the Chief Medical Officer, there are no confirmed 
or suspected cases of swine flu in the Turks and Caicos Islands. 
Passengers arriving in Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) will be asked 
to fill out a questionnaire and may have their temperature taken. 
Seagoing passengers will only be asked to complete a questionnaire. 
 
 
------- 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶10.  (SBU) The GCOB is fully engaged in efforts to monitor, contain 
and prevent the spread of the swine flu into the country, and are 
keenly aware of the need to enact screening measures with minimal 
inconvenience and disruption to the normal tourist traffic.  GCOB 
officials are disappointed at the EU's recent issuance of a travel 
warning that advises its citizens to postpone non- essential travel 
and are concerned that the USG will follow suit.  Although the MoH 
and NEMA are actively working with international organizations and 
local agencies, there is no clearly defined quarantine plan in the 
event of mass infection.  Post will convene an EAC April 29 to 
review tripwires and possible actions.  Post sent out a warden 
message April 28 advising the American community the developing 
situation.  Post is also currently updating its Emergency Action 
Plan to comply with Department recommendations. 
 
 
 
ZUNIGA-BROWN