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