VZCZCXRO6250
RR RUEHDBU RUEHPW RUEHSL
DE RUEHBUL #1782 1891158
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 081158Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0034
INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS KABUL 001782 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SCA, SCA/PPD, SCA/SRAP 
 
E.O. 12958 N/A 
TAGS: PREL KPAO KFLU AF
SUBJECT: PRESS STATEMENT ON H1N1 CASES AT BAGRAM AIRBASE 
 
¶1. (U) SUMMARY: Public Affairs officers from the U.S. Embassy and 
USFOR-A met with officials from the Ministry of Public Health July 8 
to draft a press statement on the 14 influenza cases at Bagram 
Air Base, which the Ministry released the afternoon of the same day. 
   END SUMMARY. 
 
TEXT OF PRESS RELEASE 
 
¶2. (U) 14 confirmed, mild cases of Influenza among US citizens 
detected, treated at Bagram Airbase 
 
¶3. (U) Kabul, 8 July 2009 - In the past few days 14 cases of 
influenza (H1N1) have been reported from Bagram Air base among US 
citizens. All have been properly treated, recovered and returned to 
work. The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) also sent an 
investigation team to the area. The team conducted a rapid 
assessment of clinics in the area and could not find any suspected 
cases. The MoPH is working closely with the US agencies and the 
World Health Organization to monitor the situation. To date no cases 
have been detected among Afghans. 
 
¶4. (U) MoPH is prepared to detect and treat influenza and has a 
nationwide sensitive surveillance system. MoPH is vigilantly 
assessing the situation in Afghanistan, the region and the world and 
is in touch with different organizations including the WHO. 
 
¶5. (U) A command and control center is in place at the MoPH Kabul 
and 3 telephone lines are available to provide information and 
guidance. 
0798660829 
0797665085 
0798684404 
 
¶6. (U) For query please contact: Dr. Farid Raaid, a.raaid@gmail.com, 
0799002793 
 
 
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