H1N1 INFLUENZA OUTBREAK AND BRAZIL: SITREP #16 - AMCIT

UNCLAS BRASILIA 000824 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: H1N1 INFLUENZA OUTBREAK AND BRAZIL: SITREP #16 - AMCIT DEATH SUSPECTED TO BE H1N1 RELATED (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. NOTEWORTHY DEVELOPMENTS: ¶2. (SBU) Consular Section Sao Paulo is receiving early reports that a visiting American citizen has passed away in Rio Grande do Sul State. H1N1 is the suspected, but unconfirmed, cause of death. ACS officers are actively trying to confirm details of the case. NEW REPORTED CASES: ¶3. (SBU) As of June 23, 2009, the Brazilian Ministry of Health has confirmed 452 cases of the H1N1 virus spread throughout 19 of the country's 26 states and the federal district: Sao Paulo (217 cases), Rio de Janeiro (48 cases),Santa Catarina (40 cases),Mato Grosso (3 cases),Minas Gerais (59 cases),Tocantins (4 cases),Rio Grande do Sul (28 cases),Alagoas (1 case),Bahia (4 cases),Ceara (1 case), Federal District (14 cases),Espirito Santo (8 cases),Goiais (4 cases),Maranhao (1 case),Parana (9 cases),Paraiba (2 cases), Pernambuco (1 case),Rio Grande do Norte (1 case),Sergipe (4 cases). The rate of spread of the virus throughout the country has been accelerating, though fortunately it remains relatively mild. BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT'S RECENT ACTIONS: ¶4. (SBU) On June 22nd the Brazilian National Sanitary Vigilance Agency (ANVISA) announced new measures to be adopted in ports and airports nationwide. Among these measures is the implementation of a traveler's health declaration for people traveling from MERCOSUL countries. These passengers will be required to present this form upon entry into Brazil. Airlines will also be obligated to provide a list of passengers presenting with symptoms upon arrival. On June 23, Brazilian Minister of Health Jose Gomes Temporao recommended that people over sixty, children under two, pregnant women, men and women with diabetes, chronic lung or kidney illnesses, and immunodeficient patients should delay travel to the United States, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, and Australia due to the high rate of spread of H1N1 within these countries. ¶5. (SBU) Minister Temporao also stressed that compliance with local health officials is critical while emphasizing that Brazil is not experiencing sustained human-to-human transmission of the H1N1 virus. SOBEL