MGSF01: H1N1 FLU OUTBREAK AND BRAZIL - SITREP NO.2

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRASILIA 000523 DEPT FOR OES/IHB AMBASSADOR LOFTIS DEPT FOR WHA/BSC USDA PASS TO APHIS HHS PASS TO CDC HHS FOR OGHA SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL, PINR, AMGT, MG, BR SUBJECT: MGSF01: H1N1 FLU OUTBREAK AND BRAZIL - SITREP NO.2 BRASILIA 00000523 001.2 OF 002 (U) THIS MESSAGE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED AND NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION. PLEASE HANDLE ACCORDINGLY. ¶1. (SBU) This report provides an update on developments in Brazil regarding the H1N1 Flu outbreak. NEW REPORTED CASES: ¶2. (SBU) The Health Ministry still has not confirmed any cases of H1N1 flu in Brazil. As of the afternoon of Tuesday, April 28,tThe National Agency on Health Vigilance (ANVISA) and the Health Ministry are currently monitoring 20 cases of suspected infections in the states of Santa Catarina, Rio de Janeiro, Amazonas, Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Norte, Bahia, Parana and Para. Most of these cases have originated from travelers returning to Brazil from Mexico and the United States with flu-like symptoms. Health Ministry officials tell Post that six cases are being ruled out as possible H1N1 Flu cases. BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT'S RECENT ACTIONS: ¶3. (SBU) The Health Ministry and ANVISA are urging the public to remain calm and not to panic. Many of the individuals suspected of infection have been placed in isolated and controlled areas at local hospitals. The Brazilian Government has created a working group comprised of officials from the Ministries of Health and Agriculture and officials from ANVISA to deal with H1N1 Flu in Brazil. This group is meeting on a daily basis, if not more often. Working groups dealing with H1N1 Flue have been set up at some of Brazil's largest airports. These airport groups include support from the Brazilian Airport Infrastructure Company (INFRAERO) and the Brazilian customs officials (Receita Federal). The Health Ministry has trained responders from its toll-free health hotline on how to advise people who call with concerns regarding H1N1 Flu. The Ministry has also released a list of 51 hospitals in the country that are prepared to receive individuals with cases of H1N1 Flu. ¶4. (SBU) ANVISA and the Ministry of Health have printed around 140,000 pamphlets with information regarding the virus in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, and have been passing them out at six different airports throughout the country. In addition, INFRAERO officers have been instructed to monitor passengers coming into Brazil on flights originating from the United States and Mexico for signs of the flu. Aircraft coming in from the United States and Mexico have been instructed to make an announcement directing passengers with flu-like symptoms to notify crewmembers on the plane. The crewmembers have been instructed to notify ANVISA and INFRAERO once they land about individuals who are experiencing such symptoms. These individuals are then to be inspected on the plane by ANVISA and INFRAERO officials, and taken by ambulance directly to a hospital if needed. In addition, ANVISA is collecting passenger information from baggage slips so as to notify passengers in case of a suspected infection or outbreak originating from a particular flight. ¶5. (SBU) The daily newspapers "O Globo" and "Jornal do Brasil" report, however, that several passengers arriving at some of Brazil's international airports from Mexico and the United States complained of a lack of information and attention on and off the aircraft. They complained that agents did not take any information from them, such as their name and address so as to be able to confirm later that they had not been infected, and that they received pamphlets that were only printed in Portuguese and not in English or Spanish. In addition, pharmacies and drug stores have reportedly been inundated with people seeking to purchase flu medicines, sanitary gloves, and face masks. ¶6. (SBU) The governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Sergio Cabral, said on April 28 that there was little that Rio de Janeiro could do to prevent the virus from reaching the area. Cabral stated that the State must create a much wider network of protection in order to create effective barriers to screen and handle the high influx of visitors and tourists that come into Rio de Janeiro, but that this would be a very difficult task for the State to handle. BRASILIA 00000523 002.2 OF 002 DEVELOPMENTS WITH MISSION BRAZIL: ¶7. (SBU) Mission Brazil continues to monitor the status of its staff members and their families. A working group tracks the travel of individuals coming to and from the Mission in order to ascertain whether they have visited areas where cases of H1N1 Flu have been confirmed. Brazil-based officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Embassy officials maintain an extended hand of assistance towards the Brazilian Government and its health institutions. They are in frequent contact with Brazilian health and government officials concerning the matter. ¶8. (SBU) COMMENT: Many of the specialists from the Brazilian Health Ministry who have been involved in handling the issue of H1N1 Flu in Brazil are graduates of or current participants in the CDC-supported Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP). This FETP training has increased the efficiency and capacity of these health officials to deal with and prepare for the problems H1N1 Flu potentially presents, and it has enhanced the relationship and lines of communication between Mission personnel and the Brazilian Government. The current situation illustrates how this training is paying off. END COMMENT. SOBEL