VZCZCXRO7551
RR RUEHAST RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHGH RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHPB RUEHPOD
RUEHTM RUEHVC
DE RUEHGZ #0512/01 2350204
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 220204Z AUG 08 ZUI RUEHSD 0188 ZDK
FM AMCONSUL GUANGZHOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7526
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI 0504
RUEHPF/AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH 0070
RUEHVN/AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE 0174
RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 3861
RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 0249
RUCNARFC/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE
RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC//USDP/ISA/AP//
RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHINGTON DC//J2/J3/J5//
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI//J00/J2/J3/J5//
RHEFAFM/DIRAFMIC FT DETRICK MD//MA-1A//
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GUANGZHOU 000512
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/CM, CA/OCS/ACS/EAP
STATE FOR AIAG, OES/IHA, M/PRI, M/MED
BEIJING FOR HHS HEALTH ATTACHE AND RMO
PHNOM PENH FOR CDC INFLUENZA COORDINATOR
VIENTIANE FOR CDC INFLUENZA COORDINATOR
BANGKOK FOR RMO, CDC, USAID
CDC FOR OGHA AND DIV-FLU
HHS PASS TO FIC/NIH
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FOR OSD/ISA/AP
C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - REMOVE SENSITIVE CAPTION
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO AMED AMGT CASC EAGR PINR KFLU CH
SUBJECT: Guangzhou - Avian Influenza Pandemic Planning
REF: STATE 67936
GUANGZHOU 00000512 001.4 OF 002
1. (U) Summary: Consulate General Guangzhou has reviewed pandemic
preparedness efforts based on guidance issued by the Department
(reftel). Post's Emergency Action Committee meets regularly and
reviews tripwires annually or as often as necessary if circumstances
warrant. Employees are strongly encouraged to maintain six-weeks
worth of stay-in-place food and water supplies; post has also
stocked emergency non-perishable food and medical supplies.
American Citizens Services efforts to keep the local American
community informed include handouts to all passport services
customers, regularly updated information on post's website, online
discussions and programs targeting the American school and U.S.
businesses. End summary.
------------------------
Continuity of Operations
------------------------
2. (U) Pandemic planning is coordinated and reviewed by post's
Emergency Action Committee (EAC). The Consul General has designated
the Consular Section Chief as the EAC Chair and Post's Emergency
Preparedness Officer. The EAC consists of representatives from each
section and agency at Consulate General Guangzhou.
3. (U) The EAC regularly holds emergency planning meetings and
schedules avian influenza-specific meetings as needed. The EAC also
annually reviews and assesses post tripwires and responses (or more
frequently if circumstances warrant), and then updates the Emergency
Action Plan (EAP). Post's tripwires were last reviewed on June 14,
2008.
4. (U) On July 15, EAC members participated in post's annual Crisis
Management Exercise (CME), with a scenario based on an avian
influenza outbreak. On August 12, a follow-up meeting was held to
review CME lessons-learned.
------------------------
Cross-training Employees
------------------------
5. (U) Post introduces pandemic planning to each employee upon
arrival during the RSO in-brief. To further increase preparedness
in the Consulate community, post will hold a townhall meeting
September 2008 to disseminate information on avian influenza and
other related health concerns, post's pandemic planning and advice
on establishing a household contingency plan. Post will also
produce and distribute a pamphlet containing key emergency
information specific to pandemics.
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Post Supplies
-------------
6. (U) Guangzhou's local water supply is not potable. Post maintains
a limited supply of bottled water in-house. In addition, the
Consulate has access to neighboring White Swan Hotel's water tank.
Post maintains a limited supply of emergency, non-perishable food in
case sheltering-in-place is required. However, we emphasize
employee responsibility during a potential pandemic and the RSO
strongly encourages employees to maintain at least six weeks-worth
of stay-in-place food and water supplies per household. Post does
not stockpile fuel.
GUANGZHOU 00000512 002.4 OF 002
7. (U) Post maintains fully stocked medical supplies at its Shamian
Island location. Additional supplies are available at Post's China
Hotel annex. Post has the following supplies on hand:
-- N-95 masks
-- Sterile and non-sterile gloves
-- Anti-viral medication (Tamiflu)
-- Germicidal hand rinse
------------------------------------------
Communication - American Citizen Awareness
------------------------------------------
8. (U) Maintaining an efficient and effective line of communication
with Americans is a high priority. Post makes every effort to keep
U.S. citizens in south China abreast of ways in which they as
individuals can prepare for a pandemic situation. All passports
that are handled in American Citizens Services (ACS) receive avian
influenza informational inserts. Basic information including warden
messages, avian influenza virus and health information, and relevant
resources, such as www.pandemicflu.gov, are located on Consulate
General Guangzhou's website:
http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn. On August 18, Post hosted
an online webchat addressing the topic of 'Emergency Preparedness,'
which enabled Americans and local Chinese to submit real-time
questions about how to safeguard themselves during a pandemic
situation. In addition to Post's online initiatives, citizens may
also refer to the local health agencies and reputable local media
outlets for up-to-date information.
9. (U) Consular Affairs conducts outreach programs specifically
targeting the American School's administrators and parents; this
includes on-site information booths. Post RSO conducts briefings
for the local U.S. business community as part of the Overseas
Security Advisory Council's (OSAC) programming.
10. (U) As 'ground-zero' for H5N1 avian influenza and other
infectious disease outbreaks, post appreciates the Department's
emphasis on pandemic planning. Guangzhou will continue to enhance
post preparedness and community awareness, as well as strengthen
cooperation with local government and health officials.
11. (U) Post Infectious Disease Officer, Contact Information: Ashley
Brady, Economic Officer, TED 08/2009. Work phone: 86 (20)
8121-8000, ext. 5795; Fax: 86 (20) 8121-9001; Cell phone: 86
138-0296-2392; Home phone: 86 (20) 8121-5702; Email:
BradyAL@state.gov.
GOLDBERG