H1N1 INFLUENZA OUTBREAK AND BRAZIL: SITREP #12

UNCLAS BRASILIA 000655 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, KIPR, BR SUBJECT: H1N1 INFLUENZA OUTBREAK AND BRAZIL: SITREP #12 (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 swine flu outbreak. NEW REPORTED CASES: ¶2. (SBU) As of the afternoon of May 22, the Brazilian Ministry of Health has confirmed nine cases of the H1N1 flu in Brazil. A new case - the ninth altogether - was confirmed in Sao Paulo earlier this week. The nine cases are spread throughout five of Brazil's 26 states and the Federal District: Sao Paulo (3 cases); Rio de Janeiro (3 cases); Minas Gerais (1 case); Santa Catarina (1); and Rio Grande do Sul (1 case). The ministry and health officials are investigating another 14 suspected cases of infection in 8 different states. BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT'S RECENT ACTIONS: ¶3. (SBU) In recent weeks the Ministry of Health has become more outspoken in expressing its desires to ensure that information, technology, and any potential vaccines related to the H1N1 virus are shared openly among all member nations of the World Health Organization (WHO). The Brazilian Government believes that this information should be considered a public good. Health Minister Jose Temporao has also insisted that the WHO organize a information-sharing system for both public and private health institutions that decentralizes access to information on influenza viruses, testing equipment and samples, especially for developing countries. ¶4. (SBU) Temporao expressed this idea when he addressed the World Health Assembly in Geneva. He also encouraged WHO members to engage in open and transparent negotiations in order to establish a set of formal rules governing methods of equal dissemination. Afterwards, Temporao met with delegates from France, South Africa, Thailand, Norway, Indonesia, and Senegal to discuss how these countries could cooperate on these issues. KUBISKE