VENEZUELA CLAIMS PREPAREDNESS ON SWINE FLU

UNCLAS CARACAS 000535

SIPDIS

HQ SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
COMMERCE FOR 4332/MAC/WH/JLAO
TREASURY FOR RJARPE
NSC FOR RKING

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL ETRD EINV EAGR AMED SOCI VE
SUBJECT: VENEZUELA CLAIMS PREPAREDNESS ON SWINE FLU


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Venezuela's Health Ministry reported there
are no actual or suspected cases of swine flu in Venezuela,
and that local health authorities stand ready to screen
incoming travelers from the United States and Mexico. No
actions have been taken to restrict agricultural products
from any country, although one Venezuelan state bordering
Colombia has initiated a "health alert" and will monitor
shipments across the frontier. Embassy sources agree that in
spite of public statements to the contrary, the Venezuelan
government is not prepared to deal with a domestic outbreak.
END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) The afternoon of April 27, Minister of Health Jesus
Mantilla claimed Venezuela has no actual or suspected cases
of human swine flu. The government of the Bolivarian
Republic of Venezuela (GBRV) has formed a "National Response
and Preparedness Committee" consisting of the Ministries of
Health, Agriculture and Lands, and the Office of the Vice
President, to monitor the situation. Mantilla expressed
confidence that if an outbreak were to occur, Venezuelan
authorities would be capable of addressing it and would keep
the public fully abreast of the situation. Former Minister
of Health Jose Felix Oletta told the press, however, that
Venezuela is not prepared to face any serious, domestic
outbreak of human swine flu.


3. (SBU) According to Mantilla, flights arriving from Mexico
and the United States will be monitored for passengers
exhibiting symptoms of swine flu, but he made no mention of
flights arriving from other countries which have reported
cases. After cases were reported in Colombia, the bordering
Venezuelan state of Tachira implemented a "health alert" and
plans to screen incoming shipments. Mantilla also relayed
comments from Minister of Agriculture and Lands Elias Jaua
that Venezuela does not import pork because it is "self
sufficient" in this product. Nevertheless, he continued, the
GBRV would not hesitate to implement a trade restriction on
pork products if warranted by the circumstances. (NOTE:
Public statements aside, Venezuela has in fact imported pork
from Brazil and other countries in the recent past. END
NOTE.)


4. (SBU) COMMENT: According to Embassy contacts with local
health officials, there is concern about the level of the
GBRV's organizational preparedness. Some Venezuelan towns
are also taking the threat of an outbreak seriously. Rather
than relying on the central government for funds, one Mayor's
office has already contacted the Embassy asking for donations
for emergency equipment. The GBRV's Animal Plant and Health
Service is essentially inoperative due to "restructuring",
and thus cannot be relied upon to provide timely information
on animal disease outbreaks. Although Venezuelan authorities
have been relatively quick to hold press conferences on the
issue, Embassy sources concur that it is unlikely public
statements would be backed by coordinated action if an
outbreak were to occur. END COMMENT.

CAULFIELD