COLOMBIA CONFIRMS FIRST H1N1 DEATH

UNCLAS BOGOTA 001867

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC TBIO PREL KFLO KSAF KPAO KFLU
CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIA CONFIRMS FIRST H1N1 DEATH

REF: A. BOGOTA 1555

B. BOGOTA 1472

C. BOGOTA 1453

D. BOGOTA 1429

E. BOGOTA 1397

F. BOGOTA 1375


1. SUMMARY. The GOC reported its first H1N1 death, a 24
year-old woman from Bogota, on June 9. Media reports
indicated that the deceased received negligent medical care,
prompting the Ministry of Social Protection (MSP) to broaden
its criteria that determine which patients undergo
examinations for H1N1. The MSP noted, however, that even the
most developed countries have experienced H1N1 deaths despite
extensive preventive measures. The number of cases in
Colombia presently totals 28. END SUMMARY

First Confirmed H1N1 Death
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2. The GOC reported its first H1N1 death on June 9. The
deceased was a 24 year-old, middle-income resident of Bogota.
Gilberto Alvarez, the Director of Public Health at the MSP,
told us the GOC was especially concerned about death given
that the deceased had no travel abroad nor recent contact
with international travelers. Alvarez said the GOC was also
concerned because she attended "strata 5 medical centers,"
for upper-middle income patients, which should have provided
a better diagnosis. (NOTE: The deceased initially sought
medical care for a fever on May 31 but was given general
medicines and sent home, returning to the hospital on June 5.
Media widely reported negligence in care. END NOTE.) The
deceased's husband and son also have H1N1, but are in stable
condition at home. The total number of Colombian cases
presently totals 28.

GOC - New Criteria for H1N1 Screening
--------------


3. Given the circumstances of the death, the Minister of
Social Protection Diego Palacio met with the Colombian
National Institute of Health (CNIH),health providers and
health NGOs on June 10 to discuss measures to improve
diagnosis and treatment for H1N1. Gloria Rey, Director of
the CNIH Virology Lab, said the MSP broadened the criteria to
determine which patients are screened for H1N1. Patients
will now, even if they have had no international contact,
undergo H1N1 studies and tests if H1N1 symptoms are
displayed. Rey questioned if hospitals and the CNIH would be
able to increase testing to the degree requested by the new
policy, stating that CNIH had only hired one additional
official for her lab since the beginning of the H1N1
outbreak.

Increased Caution, But No Panic
--------------


4. Alvarez said despite its concerns, the MSP would not
request additional emergency funding to counter H1N1. He
stated that H1N1 deaths have occurred even in developed
countries, and that "unfortunately it was just Colombia's
turn, but early diagnosis must improve." Alvarez noted that
the MSP will continue, however, to purchase additional masks
and testing equipment through the original emergency funding
(ref F).
Brownfield