Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BUENOSAIRES695
2009-06-13 19:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Buenos Aires
Cable title:
ARGENTINA: H1N1: HEALTH MINISTRY HAS BEEN WORKING AT ALERT
how-toR 131903Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES TO SECSTATE WASHDC 3867 INFO MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000695
DEPT FOR OES/IHB - P. MURPHY AND D. WILUSZ
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SOCI PGOV PREL AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: H1N1: HEALTH MINISTRY HAS BEEN WORKING AT ALERT
LEVEL SIX FOR SOME TIME
REF: BUENOS AIRES 0664
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000695
DEPT FOR OES/IHB - P. MURPHY AND D. WILUSZ
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SOCI PGOV PREL AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: H1N1: HEALTH MINISTRY HAS BEEN WORKING AT ALERT
LEVEL SIX FOR SOME TIME
REF: BUENOS AIRES 0664
1. On June 11, ESTCouns called Sebastian Tobar, Director of
International Health Relations at the Ministry of Health (MOH),to
discuss the recent WHO announcement that it had raised the alert
level for Influenza A H1N1 from level five to level six. Tobar
commented that the Argentina MOH had been already working at level
six for a couple of weeks, given the increase in cases (now at 343)
and the arrival of the normal flu season. Tobar said that the GOA's
Crisis Committee was considering as a next step an increase in
"social communication," i.e., regular communication with civil
society to avoid widespread panic.
2. Tobar was pleased with the visit earlier this week by CDC
physicians and confirmed that the GOA was in regular contact not
only with CDC and the PanAmerican Health Organization (PAHO),but
also with health authorities of other concerned countries. He noted
that the MOH had conducted a videoconference (DVC) with Australian
health authorities on June 10 and planned to have a DVC with the
United Kingdom early next week.
3. Influenza is big news in Argentina, and it was the lead story in
top-circulation daily "Clarin" for two of the last three days. On
June 10, the banner headline on page one of "Clarin" was "Influenza
A: medical services collapse; authorities advise caution," and on
June 12, the banner headline was "Record absenteeism from schools
out of fear for Influenza A." Schools continue to close in
Argentina for two weeks at a time despite experts' recommendations
not to do so.
4. Comment: Given the onset of the austral winter, it is not
surprising that the MOH was already working at level six. Argentine
health authorities understand well that Southern hemisphere
countries will be the next focal point for the development of the
H1N1 influenza virus, and are making best efforts to contain it.
End Comment.
KELLY
DEPT FOR OES/IHB - P. MURPHY AND D. WILUSZ
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SOCI PGOV PREL AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: H1N1: HEALTH MINISTRY HAS BEEN WORKING AT ALERT
LEVEL SIX FOR SOME TIME
REF: BUENOS AIRES 0664
1. On June 11, ESTCouns called Sebastian Tobar, Director of
International Health Relations at the Ministry of Health (MOH),to
discuss the recent WHO announcement that it had raised the alert
level for Influenza A H1N1 from level five to level six. Tobar
commented that the Argentina MOH had been already working at level
six for a couple of weeks, given the increase in cases (now at 343)
and the arrival of the normal flu season. Tobar said that the GOA's
Crisis Committee was considering as a next step an increase in
"social communication," i.e., regular communication with civil
society to avoid widespread panic.
2. Tobar was pleased with the visit earlier this week by CDC
physicians and confirmed that the GOA was in regular contact not
only with CDC and the PanAmerican Health Organization (PAHO),but
also with health authorities of other concerned countries. He noted
that the MOH had conducted a videoconference (DVC) with Australian
health authorities on June 10 and planned to have a DVC with the
United Kingdom early next week.
3. Influenza is big news in Argentina, and it was the lead story in
top-circulation daily "Clarin" for two of the last three days. On
June 10, the banner headline on page one of "Clarin" was "Influenza
A: medical services collapse; authorities advise caution," and on
June 12, the banner headline was "Record absenteeism from schools
out of fear for Influenza A." Schools continue to close in
Argentina for two weeks at a time despite experts' recommendations
not to do so.
4. Comment: Given the onset of the austral winter, it is not
surprising that the MOH was already working at level six. Argentine
health authorities understand well that Southern hemisphere
countries will be the next focal point for the development of the
H1N1 influenza virus, and are making best efforts to contain it.
End Comment.
KELLY