VZCZCXRO8404
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHOR #0632 2220534
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 100534Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY GABORONE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5959
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS GABORONE 000632 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF/S, OES 
STATE PLEASE PASS TO USAID 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KFLU EAID SOCI TBIO PGOV BC
SUBJECT: BOTSWANA: GOB INTERVENTIONS ON H1N1 
 
REF: A)STATE 73971, B)GABORONE 604 
 
¶1. Summary:  As of July 31, 2009, there were only 13 confirmed cases 
of H1N1 influenza in Botswana.  However, government actions to 
inform the public and screen for the disease began in late April. 
The Botswana Ministry of Health has issued a series of notices in 
local media to alert the public about the outbreak and what 
precautions they must take to prevent its spread.  In addition, the 
GOB uses a questionnaire to screen incoming travelers and has set up 
four quarantine sites to isolate and monitor suspected cases.  End 
Summary. 
 
¶2. Public Notices:  In response to the global outbreak of A-H1N1, on 
April 26, the Government of Botswana (GOB,) through the Ministry of 
Health (MOH), began a series of public notices on H1N1.  These 
notices are ongoing and are featured regularly in the local media 
(papers, radio and national television) and are often posted in 
government buildings and other public places (including airports). 
The GOB notices inform the public about the precautions that they 
need to take against flu, and also inform them about the signs and 
symptoms of the H1N1 virus.  Furthermore, the GOB adverts tell the 
public that if anyone in their household had recently travelled to 
any of the affected countries, he/she should report to the nearest 
health official or facility.  The MOH has further advised the public 
to avoid shaking hands and to avoid any large gatherings if 
possible.  MOH has also appealed to the public to avoid and miniize 
contact with people who have the common flu nd to keep children 
home from school if they hav thecommon cold.  Ministry of Health 
officials, ncluding the Acting Permanent Secretary, have appered 
on national television severaltimes to issue similar appeals and 
advice. 
 
¶3. Health System Responses: The MOH has communicated with all of its 
districts (local governments, where most primary health care is 
provided) and has provided them with written guidelines on how to 
respond to H1N1 pandemic outbreak.  In addition, the districts have 
been given a flow chart on how to transport samples and receive 
results, as well as written information detailing the GOB's 
"Influenza Suspect Identification and Quarantine Procedures."  In 
addition, four quarantine stations have been set up in Gaborone, 
Maun, Kasane and Francistown (Botswana's four most important towns), 
which are used to isolate and observe suspected cases. 
 
¶4. Screening of Travelers:  Botswana does not have thermal imaging 
devices for screening of travelers.  However, in an attempt to 
screen arriving passengers for potential H1N1 flu, a check list has 
been developed and distributed to the Gaborone's Sir Seretse Khama 
International Airport and other ports of entry into Botswana.  All 
incoming travelers must complete the form and present it to 
immigration officials before being admitted to the country. 
 
¶5. Social Interventions:  Botswana has not yet taken any of the 
measures outlined in reftel to restrict public access to large 
gatherings.  Schools, theaters, and dance halls all remain open. 
There are no bans on public gatherings in place or any other 
restrictive measures that would change the ordinary conduct of 
business or social events.  However, the MOH is encouraging citizens 
to voluntarily avoid large gatherings (as noted in para 2). 
 
¶6. Request for Commodities:  In an effort to strengthen Botswana's 
pandemic preparedness, the GOB made a request through the US Embassy 
to USAID's Deliver Project for the following commodities: PPE'S, 
disinfectant, rapid test kits, transporting and packaging materials. 
 Post submitted the request to USAID Washington on May 12.  We look 
forward to receiving the requested commodities soon. 
 
NOLAN