TFFLU01: H1N1 Influenza Outbreak and Argentina: SITREP #2

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000553 DEPT FOR OES/IHB AMBASSADOR LOFTIS 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, AR SUBJECT: TFFLU01: H1N1 Influenza Outbreak and Argentina: SITREP #2 (U) THIS MESSAGE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED AND NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION. PLEASE HANDLE ACCORDINGLY REF: Buenos Aires 491 ¶1. (U) Summary: The first confirmed case of Influenza A (H1N1) in Argentina - a traveler who had returned from Mexico on April 25 - was confirmed by health authorities on May 7. The Ministry of Health (MOH) has installed thermal scanners at all international airports. The GoA's suspension of direct flights from Mexico on April 28 is causing tensions between Argentina and Mexico and has resulted in the stranding of Argentine tourists. Meanwhile, the MOH is stockpiling Tamiflu treatment courses and regular flu vaccinations in advance of the coming austral winter season. End Summary. -------------- --- First Confirmed Case of Influenza A in Argentina -------------- --- ¶2. (U) On May 7, Health Minister Graciela Ocana announced the first confirmed case of Influenza A H1N1 virus in Argentina. The patient who tested positive had flown from Mexico to Argentina on April 25 and started feeling flu symptoms 48 hours later. He has now been released from the hospital after receiving treatment and is reportedly in good health. According to an MOH official contacted by the Embassy, the MOH sent 72 samples of suspected cases to a local laboratory for evaluation. Out of these, 16 tested negative, one is positive and 55 are still under study. According to the press, primer kits meant to reduce the time necessary for testing were sent by the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) but have yet to arrive in Argentina. -------------- - Thermal Scanner Early Warning System Installed -------------- - ¶3. (U) Epidemiologic surveillance measures were increased at all international airports through the initial installation of thermal scanners at Ezeiza International Airport (suburban Buenos Aires), Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (downtown Buenos Aires),and the airports in Cordoba and Mendoza. The MOH subsequently purchased additional scanners manufactured by U.S. company Fluke, for which Embassy Buenos Aires provided logistical assistance and support. Two of these scanners were installed at Ezeiza, and one each at Jorge Newbery, Calafate, Iguazu and Bariloche airports. The MOH is evaluating the possibility of purchasing an additional scanner for the airport in Rio Gallegos in southern Patagonia. -------------- Flight Restrictions Cause Tension with Mexico -------------- ¶4. (U) On April 28, Argentina suspended direct flights from Mexico. Mexican officials strongly criticized the measure as discriminatory and complained that, while the GOA allows travelers from Mexico to arrive in Argentina on American Airlines, Lan Chile or Copa flights with stopovers in Miami, Santiago de Chile or Panama, it suspended direct flights from Mexico by Aeromexico or Mexicana. In a recent press conference, Health Minister Ocana referred to Mexico as "the sick brother." This has created a tense situation between the two countries. Mexican President Felipe Calderon responded to the flight restrictions by criticizing un-named countries (China and Cuba have imposed similar restrictions). Calderon also argued that Mexico is doing more to stop the Influenza A H1N1 virus than Argentina had done to prevent the Dengue outbreak, which he mistakenly said had caused "thousands of deaths" (the actual death toll is five, with 23,177 laboratory confirmed cases). ¶5. (SBU) Meanwhile, more than 150 Argentine tourists are stranded in Mexico and cannot come back because of the flight restrictions. A previous charter flight paid for by the GOA brought back roughly 200 previously stranded Argentines on May 4. The GOA is reportedly paying for the lodging and living expenses of its stranded citizens, and for Mexican tourists stranded here in Argentina. According to local press reports, former President Nestor Kirchner personally gave the order to suspend the flights from Mexico, because he did not want to risk criticism over lax public health standards in the height of the electoral season. (Comment: The government has been under fire in recent months for its response to the dengue outbreak. End Comment.) An MOH contact reported to Embassy staff that the MOH advised against banning flights from Mexico but was overruled by the Office of the President. -------------- Concern About the Coming Winter Season -------------- ¶6. (U) The MOH is concerned about the increase of cold and flu symptoms during the coming austral winter. Health officials are closely monitoring the development of Influenza A cases in New Zealand, which to date is the only country in the Southern Hemisphere to have reported positive cases. In preparation, the MOH has stockpiled 500,000 treatment courses of Tamiflu and has set aside 80 million Argentine pesos (USD 21-22 million) to purchase additional treatments. The MOH is also strengthening prevention measures for the upcoming winter flu season and has purchased 500,000 vaccinations for the seasonal flu with PAHO's financial support. KELLY