TFFLU01: H1N1 INFLUENZA OUTBREAK AND BRAZIL: SITREP #10

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