VZCZCXRO5634
OO RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR
DE RUEHAD #0432 1241352
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 041352Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2431
INFO RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 0908
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000432 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP 
AMMAN FOR ESTH HUB (BHALLA) 
STATE PLEASE PASS USTR (JBUNTIN, JDOHERTY) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KFLU AEMR ASEC AMED CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO
PREL, PINR, AMGT, TF, AE 
SUBJECT: TFFLU01: UAE H1N1 RESPONSE 
 
REFS:  A) ABU DHABI 
      B) STATE 44254 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. The UAEG has taken a number of steps to combat the 
spread of H1N1 virus to the UAE and reassure the public. 
Interagency task forces have been established and are sharing 
information about their efforts.  Residents are concerned, but with 
no confirmed cases in the UAE, remain calm.  END SUMMARY. 
 
UAEG EFFORTS 
------------ 
 
¶2. (SBU) Despite active engagement by the FAS Agricultural Trade 
Office (ATO), the first public UAEG response to H1N1 influenza was a 
General Secretariat of Municipalities (GSM) decision to ban pork 
imports on April 27 (reftels).  GSM officials will review the ban on 
May 5, but there is little indication it will be quickly rescinded. 
Minister of Health Humaid Al Qattami has quoted WHO guidance that 
H1N1 is not transmitted from eating pork products, and this fact has 
also been printed in local newspapers. 
 
¶3. (SBU) On April 27, Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed 
instructed that a Supervisory Committee on Combating H1N1 be created 
under the chairmanship of Minister of Health Al Qattami.  The 
Supervisory Committee includes representatives of the Ministry of 
Health, the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, the Department of 
Health-Abu Dhabi, Ministry of Water and Environment, and Dubai 
Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS).   Al Qattami 
immediately established a Technical Committee chaired by MOH 
Director General (deputy-equivalent) Dr. Ali Shakar.  On April 29, 
the Technical Committee -- which includes federal and local health 
officials -- announced a variety of steps, including the 
installation of thermal scanners at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports and 
stockpiling of antiviral medications.  DOHMS will use its own 
assets, rather than federal institutions, to treat any diagnosed 
cases or quarantine any suspected cases, e.g. with travelers 
entering at Dubai International. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Minister Al Qattami attended the May 2 Gulf Cooperation 
Council ministers of health meeting in Doha.  On May 3, the 
Ministerial Council for Services, headed by Minister for 
Presidential Affairs Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, approved a unified 
strategy to address "swine flu."  At the meeting, MOH Al Qattami 
announced the establishment of a dedicated website with local and 
international H1N1 information.  While the website does appear to be 
launched as of May 4, the Ministry of Health developed an online 
newsletter (http://www.moh.gov.ae/en/Swine_Flu_News_Lett er-En.pdf) 
that includes UAEG response, relevant links, and FAQs. 
 
PUBLIC REACTION 
--------------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) As there have been no reported H1N1 cases in the UAE or 
Gulf region, local residents are concerned but not panicked.  Local 
hospital contacts report that persons are presenting themselves to 
emergency rooms with flu symptoms, but none have to date tested 
positive for Influenza-A.  While basic typing of influenza by nasal 
swab is possible at local labs (with results available in two 
hours), specific identification of the H1N1 virus requires overseas 
testing.  Currently, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City -- Abu Dhabi's 
principal care point for infectious diseases -- uses a lab in 
France, with results available in 24 hours. To date, no cases have 
required the secondary overseas testing. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Local pharmacies report increased demand for Tamiflu and 
many are sold out of the drug. The UAE MOH has designated Tamiflu as 
a controlled substance, but many pharmacies in Abu Dhabi will 
(inappropriately) sell it without a prescription.  Pharmacists tell 
EmbOffs that all Tamiflu available has an October 2009 expiry date. 
MOH officials have stated the drug licensing department is 
fast-tracking applications from local manufacturers to increase 
available stocks. 
 
¶7. (SBU) Contacts -- both Emirati and expatriate -- continue to 
express concern about the spread of H1N1 influenza in the UAE. 
Fears are exacerbated by the fact that UAE citizens and expatriates 
(who represent 80 percent of the population) travel often and 
millions of passengers transit the UAE, particularly through Dubai. 
While some are delaying travel and stocking up on Tamiflu, most 
contacts are concerned but not panicked. 
GREENE