UNCLAS BRASILIA 000600

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: TBIO KFLU CASC AEMR AMED ASEC KSAF PREL PINR AMGT
KFLO, KPAO, TF, BR
SUBJECT: TFFLU01: H1N1 INFLUENZA OUTBREAK AND BRAZIL: SITREP #10

REF: A) Brasilia 579, B) Brasilia 566 and previous

(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 2009 H1N1 outbreak.

NEW REPORTED CASES:


2. (SBU) As of the morning of May 11 the Brazilian Ministry of
Health is reporting eight confirmed cases of the H1N1 flu in Brazil.
The eight cases are spread throughout five states: Sao Paulo (2
cases), Rio de Janeiro (3 case), Minas Gerais (1 case), Santa
Catarina (1), and Rio Grande do Sul (1).


3. (SBU) Of these eight cases, six were contracted during travel
abroad. Two cases have been contracted domestically, both in Rio de
Janeiro. In both cases, the patient contracted the virus from
someone who had recently traveled to Mexico or the United States.
These two patients represent the first cases of human-to-human
transmission within Brazil.


4. (SBU) The Ministry of Health is also continuing to monitor an
additional 18 suspected cases. Test results for these cases are
expected to be released soon.

BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT'S RECENT ACTIONS:


5. (SBU) The government of the Federal District of Brasilia
announced on Saturday that people who public health officials
identify as suspect cases of H1N1 flu will be subject to mandatory
hospitalization. Any patient who fails to comply could be held
legally responsible for any further spread of the virus and could be
charged under two laws: one that compelled people to follow
governmental orders in a state of "public calamity" and one that
makes it illegal to "start an epidemic." Embassy contacts have
confirmed that this is the official policy of the District, but they
have also confided that they are not certain how the policy will be
implemented should a case arise.


6. (SBU) Press reports indicate that inspections in Rio de
Janeiro's international airport have become increasingly strict
(beyond that of other airports in Brazil.) According to the reports
they have set-up a separate screening area for passengers arriving
from North America and they have begun screening entire flights.
Consulate General Rio contacts report that this practice was limited
to American Airlines and that it has now been suspended. As of yet
the Mission has not received any reports of mandatory hospital
admittances and has had no complaints from AmCits traveling through
Rio de Janeiro.

DEVELOPMENTS WITH MISSION BRAZIL:


7. (SBU) One of Brazil's major newspapers, Folha de Sao Paulo,
published an article about the U.S. Mission's policy of asking visa
and American Citizen Service customers to reschedule their
appointments if they appear to have flu-like symptoms. The report
indicates that all applicants will be subject to an "inspection"
process. The Mission is preparing a letter to the editor to clarify
the actual policy, which does not include a formal inspection and
has not resulted in anyone being turned away from any Mission Brazil
Consular section. As the approach was intended, applicants have
been notified of our policy and have taken the opportunity to delay
their appointments. Public Affairs has responded to several
additional media inquiries on the matter since Folha's article was
published on Saturday.

SOBEL