VZCZCXRO4685
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DE RUEHSP #0198 1212131
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 012131Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9823
INFO RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL//HQ USSOUTHCOM JS MIAMI FL

UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000198 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR INFLUENZA MONITORING GROUP MGSF01 
DEPT PASS TO HHS 
DEPT FOR USAID LAC/AA, GH/AA, GM/OMA 
ALSO FOR USAID MISSION DIRECTORS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: KFLU EAID SOCI TBIO XL TD
SUBJECT: NO CONFIRMED H1N1 CASES IN TRINIDAD, PORT SECURITY 
INCREASED AS A PRECAUTION 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY 
 
¶1.  (SBU) SUMMARY: There are no confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus in 
T&T.  Seven individuals returning from Mexico were quarantined, of 
which six tested negative for Type A Influenza and were released and 
one is still under observation.  No facility in T&T currently has 
the capacity to test for the new strain of H1N1 causing the current 
outbreak.  The Caribbean Epidemiology Center (CAREC) expects to 
receive a limited number of primers from CDC to begin testing for 
the new H1N1 strain during the week of May 4. GOTT has responded to 
the outbreak by requiring screening of incoming passengers.  Limited 
quantities of Tamiflu, lack of diagnosis capacity, and limited 
health care facilities constrain the GOTT's ability to respond to an 
H1N1 outbreak. END SUMMARY 
LIMITED TESTING AND DIAGNOSIS CAPACITY 
-------------------------------------- 
¶2. (U) The Trinidad Public Health Laboratory (TPHL) is capable of 
performing initial screenings to identify Type A Influenza. 
Individuals who test negative for Type A Influenza are medically 
cleared for the H1N1 virus.  Cases testing positive for Type A 
Influenza will be forwarded to CAREC.  At this time CAREC is unable 
to test for the H1N1 strain causing the current epidemic; CAREC 
staff have the skills to complete diagnosis but lack necessary 
primers.  CAREC expects to receive a limited quantity of primers 
from CDC to begin testing during the week of May 4.  Until then, 
CAREC will forward positive tests via FedEx to CDC in Atlanta for 
diagnosis, with results expected 48 hours from when the sample 
leaves T&T. 
 
GOTT RESPONSE 
------------- 
¶3.  (U) Following guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO), 
GOTT has not restricted travel. However, GOTT has posted Public 
Health Officers at each air and sea port of entry and enlisted the 
help of airlines and customs and immigration officials to prevent 
the H1N1 virus from entering the country. While on board, passengers 
are asked to complete a health declaration form for preliminary 
screening. These forms are reviewed by the Ministry of Health who 
will forward suspected cases to the Port Health Authorities.  Per 
GOTT request, airlines must ask passengers coming from areas with 
H1N1 outbreaks or those experiencing flu-like symptoms to report to 
a Public Health Officer upon arrival.  Health Officers will conduct 
interviews to gather contact information for surveillance and follow 
up as well as to ask if the passenger is experiencing influenza 
symptoms.  Passengers who display symptoms are immediately escorted 
to a specially designated Medical Examination Room.  An ambulance 
then is called to transport them to a designated health facility. 
 
¶4. (U) Customs and immigration officials have been alerted to look 
at all passengers as they enter the country.  Passengers displaying 
flu-like symptoms are referred to a Public Health Officer.  All 
customs and immigration officials have been given face masks. 
 
¶5. (U) The Ministry of Health reportedly has 1.5 million surgical 
masks and 10,000 N95 masks.  There are conflicting reports that GOTT 
has either 138,000 or 120,000 doses of Tamiflu, originally 
stockpiled to prepare for pandemic bird flu. 
 
CARIBBEAN AIRLINES RESPONSE 
--------------------------- 
¶6. (U) EconOff spoke with the Director of Marking and Corporate 
Communication for Caribbean Airlines who reported passengers are 
expressing concern and asking questions, however they are not 
canceling travel plans.  The airline is distributing face masks to 
those passengers who display flu-like symptoms, encouraging 
passengers to wash their hands, and distributing anti-bacterial gel. 
 
 
RIES