Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MONTERREY945
2007-11-17 00:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Monterrey
Cable title:  

TAMAULIPAS: BEST PRACTICES FOR FIGHTING DENGUE FEVER IN

Tags:  KHIV TBIO SENV SMIG SOCI MX 
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VZCZCXRO8923
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RUEHPOD RUEHRD RUEHRS RUEHTM
DE RUEHMC #0945 3210028
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 170028Z NOV 07
FM AMCONSUL MONTERREY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2555
RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO PRIORITY 3404
INFO RUEHXC/ALL US CONSULATES IN MEXICO COLLECTIVE
RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA PRIORITY
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC
RUEHMC/AMCONSUL MONTERREY 7872
UNCLAS MONTERREY 000945 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DOS FOR WHA/MEX
HHS FOR DAN REYNA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KHIV TBIO SENV SMIG SOCI MX
SUBJECT: TAMAULIPAS: BEST PRACTICES FOR FIGHTING DENGUE FEVER IN
MEXICO

REF: MEXICO 5704

UNCLAS MONTERREY 000945

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DOS FOR WHA/MEX
HHS FOR DAN REYNA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KHIV TBIO SENV SMIG SOCI MX
SUBJECT: TAMAULIPAS: BEST PRACTICES FOR FIGHTING DENGUE FEVER IN
MEXICO

REF: MEXICO 5704


1. On November 8, Consulate Matamoros and Consulate Monterrey
Econoffs met with Tamaulipas Secretary of Health, Dr. Rodolfo
Torre Cantu, to discuss the state's success in battling dengue
fever. Despite record rainfalls throughout northeastern Mexico,
Tamaulipas represents a significantly lower percentage of the
number of new cases in the region, compared with Veracruz, Nuevo
Leon, and Coahuila (reftel). According to Dr. Torre, the
Tamaulipas state government learned from its mistake during the
2005 epidemic when, due in large part to the state's inaction,
dengue infected over 6,000 people in the state.


2. In response to the 2005 epidemic, Tamaulipas instituted a
dengue prevention program that has been hailed as a "best
practice" by the Mexican Ministry of Health. The campaign,
according to Dr. Torre, is the reason why the number of new
dengue cases in Tamaulipas has been relatively low compared with
states like Nuevo Leon and Veracruz. The program is aimed at
school-aged children and uses a Tamaulipeco cartoon character to
get children to understand the causes of dengue so that they
can, in turn, educate their parents. The children are
"deputized" as official Tamaulipas health inspectors and are
charged with identifying and eradicating mosquito breeding
grounds in and around their homes. A catchy song helps them to
remember to check the places where mosquitoes can flourish.
Regular TV and radio spots also use the cartoon character and
song to provide children and parents with dengue prevention
tips. "The program has been so successful," said Dr. Torre,
"that the Mexican Health Ministry asked us to put our program
information and materials onto a CD-Rom that has now been
distributed to every Mexican state Secretary of Health."


3. Despite the state's success, Dr. Torre worries that inaction
on the part of neighboring states Nuevo Leon and Veracruz could
affect Tamaulipas. He also noted that the virus is evolving and
strengthening, causing additional concern despite local
successes. When asked about regional cooperation, Dr. Torre
reported that he works well with the Veracruz Secretary of
Health and noted that fifteen health officials from Veracruz
recently visited Ciudad Victoria to learn more about Tamaulipas'
dengue-prevention programs. He also noted that increased
bi-lateral cooperation with Texas health officials has been
positive. Nuevo Leon, on the other hand, has been unresponsive
and difficult to work with, according to Dr. Torre. Note. The
rise in the incidence of dengue in Nuevo Leon represents the
fastest rising rate of transmission in the country. End Note.


4. The state is also working to prevent the spread of
dengue-carrying mosquitoes with fumigation and garbage clean-up
programs, but Dr. Torre noted that the fumigation only works if
the poison comes into direct contact with mosquito larvae or
airborne mosquitoes. "Relying on this alone doesn't work, which
is why the education program is so important." Dr. Torre also
said that the other half of his job is working with Tamaulipas
hospitals and health clinics to get them "dengue secure
certified", i.e. training doctors and nurses to identify dengue
fever symptoms and posting public information about what to do
if one suspects he/she has been infected. Dr. Torre said that
in this respect, Tamaulipas is also making progress far beyond
its neighboring Mexican states.


5. COMMENT. While Mexican states' responses to dengue have
been varied (reftel),the Tamaulipas government has made a
concerted effort to avoid the same inaction that led to
thousands of dengue cases in the state in 2005. If other
Mexican states can use Tamaulipas' experience as an example,
perhaps a further rise in dengue cases can be mitigated in the
coming year. However, as Dr. Torre stated, "People don't have a
memory for things like [dengue].....they forget and they don't
change their habits and the same thing happens again and again."
States' success in combating dengue fever will also greatly
depend on the continuity of state programs and funding, and on
the continued commitment of health officials to remain vigilant.
END COMMENT.


6. The cable has been cleared with the U.S. Consulate in
Matamoros.

WILLIAMSON