UNCLAS CARACAS 000800

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR WHA/BSC, WHA/EPSC AND OES/IHB
FOR MED
FOR DS/IP/WHA
FOR CA/DCS
BOGOTA FOR RMO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMED ASEC CASC KPAO KSAF TBIO KFIU KSTH VE
SUBJECT: VENEZUELA: 180 CONFIRMED CASES OF H1N1

REF: CARACAS 673


1. (SBU) Summary. On June 25, official Venezuelan news
agency ABN announced the number of confirmed H1N1 cases in
the country had risen to one hundred and eighty. One
Consular Section Locally Engaged Staff is suspected to have
had H1N1 but test results were inconclusive. Post has
sufficient supply of Tamiflu and continues to monitor the
situation in country. End Summary.

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Confirmed H1N1 Cases at 180
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2. (SBU) On June 25, official Venezuelan news agency ABN
announced the number of confirmed H1N1 cases had risen to one
hundred and eighty, with an unknown number of additional
suspected cases undergoing analysis. Of the confirmed cases,
all patients, according to ABN, are exhibiting mild symptoms
and receiving the appropriate treatment without
hospitalization. Upon confirmation of a case of H1N1, the
Venezuelan government has taken adequate and appropriate
measures to isolate the patient and identify contacts. ABN
stated that fifty four of the confirmed cases were contracted
abroad while the remainder of cases were contracted through
close contact with infected individuals.

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One Suspected Case Among LE Staff
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3. (SBU) As of June 25, there is one suspected H1N1 case in
the Embassy workforce, a Locally Engaged Staff member from
the Consular Section. Test results were inconclusive. The
staffer has rested at home under a doctor's care for
approximately ten days. He has finished the appropriate
medical treatment and is expected to return to work the week
of June 29. The Embassy Health Unit met with Consular
Section personnel the week of June 22 to address their
concerns.

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Post Efforts
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4. (SBU) The Health Unit remains vigilant as to the H1N1
epidemic and its spread within Venezuela. On June 17, the
Health Unit published additional flu education and prevention
information in the Embassy newsletter. Approximately two
weeks ago, the Health Unit received an additional 480 doses
of Tamiflu, bringing Post's total Tamiflu stock to 1068
doses. Of this stock, 588 doses have an expiration date of
April 2010 and the remaining 480 doses have an expiration
date of 2014. Post is adequately stocked with Tamiflu to
treat employees. The Health Unit remains in close contact
with the Regional Medical Officer in Bogota and Post remains
at Trip Wire Three. American Citizen Services has sent
Warden Messages regarding H1N1 on April 30 and June 8.

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Comment
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5. (SBU) Post will continue to monitor the number of
confirmed H1N1 cases and the manner of their transmission.
To date, the Venezuelan government has handled the spread of
the H1N1 flu in a professional and competent manner.
CAULFIELD