Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BUENOSAIRES908
2009-08-06 16:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Buenos Aires
Cable title:
ARGENTINA: UPDATE ON H1N1 INFLUENZA
how-toVZCZCXYZ0003 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHBU #0908 2181632 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 061632Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4182 INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000908
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR OES/IHB - P. MURPHY AND D. WILUSZ
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SOCI PREL AMED ELAB CASC KIPR AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: UPDATE ON H1N1 INFLUENZA
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000908
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR OES/IHB - P. MURPHY AND D. WILUSZ
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SOCI PREL AMED ELAB CASC KIPR AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: UPDATE ON H1N1 INFLUENZA
1. As of August 5, Argentina had confirmed 337 deaths due to H1N1
influenza. According to the press, over half these fatalities were
in otherwise healthy patients who had no pre-existing chronic
conditions or ailments. Tests to determine the cause of an
additional 400 deaths are still pending. Dr. Horacio Lopez, Head of
Infectious Diseases at the School of Medicine and Medical Advisor to
the City of Buenos Aires, told us that the number of new cases
appeared to be steadily declining. He did not predict an increase
in the number of cases in the following weeks, as some experts had
thought as recently as mid-July. Other physicians working closely
with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) agree with this
assessment.
2. Given the unpredictable nature of the disease, however, and
contrary to usual seasonal influenza pattern, Dr. Lopez believes
that H1N1 cases could continue to occur well into the upcoming
spring and summer seasons. Schools opened their doors again on
August 3, after a four-week recess that included winter holidays and
health prevention closures. With thousands of children now in close
proximity to one another, the next few weeks will be a good
indicator of the pandemic's staying power in Argentina. The
Argentine Ministry of Health (MoH) is appreciative for the
continuous presence of physicians from the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC),who have been in Argentina on a rotating basis for
the past several weeks to study the evolution of the outbreak and
advise the MoH on its response.
3. During the July 24 MERCOSUR Summit in Asuncion, Paraguay,
Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner called for the
temporary suspension of pharmaceutical patents to allow local
manufacturers to produce H1N1 vaccine and to cover the increasing
worldwide demand for vaccine. She noted that this technology
transfer would be a one-time event, limited in time and scope. Her
motion was supported by presidents Tabare Vazquez of Uruguay and
Michelle Bachelet of Chile, both physicians by training, and was
included in the Summit's final statement.
KELLY
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR OES/IHB - P. MURPHY AND D. WILUSZ
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SOCI PREL AMED ELAB CASC KIPR AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: UPDATE ON H1N1 INFLUENZA
1. As of August 5, Argentina had confirmed 337 deaths due to H1N1
influenza. According to the press, over half these fatalities were
in otherwise healthy patients who had no pre-existing chronic
conditions or ailments. Tests to determine the cause of an
additional 400 deaths are still pending. Dr. Horacio Lopez, Head of
Infectious Diseases at the School of Medicine and Medical Advisor to
the City of Buenos Aires, told us that the number of new cases
appeared to be steadily declining. He did not predict an increase
in the number of cases in the following weeks, as some experts had
thought as recently as mid-July. Other physicians working closely
with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) agree with this
assessment.
2. Given the unpredictable nature of the disease, however, and
contrary to usual seasonal influenza pattern, Dr. Lopez believes
that H1N1 cases could continue to occur well into the upcoming
spring and summer seasons. Schools opened their doors again on
August 3, after a four-week recess that included winter holidays and
health prevention closures. With thousands of children now in close
proximity to one another, the next few weeks will be a good
indicator of the pandemic's staying power in Argentina. The
Argentine Ministry of Health (MoH) is appreciative for the
continuous presence of physicians from the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC),who have been in Argentina on a rotating basis for
the past several weeks to study the evolution of the outbreak and
advise the MoH on its response.
3. During the July 24 MERCOSUR Summit in Asuncion, Paraguay,
Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner called for the
temporary suspension of pharmaceutical patents to allow local
manufacturers to produce H1N1 vaccine and to cover the increasing
worldwide demand for vaccine. She noted that this technology
transfer would be a one-time event, limited in time and scope. Her
motion was supported by presidents Tabare Vazquez of Uruguay and
Michelle Bachelet of Chile, both physicians by training, and was
included in the Summit's final statement.
KELLY