VENEZUELA: 180 CONFIRMED CASES OF H1N1

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. -------------- Confirmed H1N1 Cases at 180 -------------- ¶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. -------------- One Suspected Case Among LE Staff -------------- ¶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. -------------- Post Efforts -------------- ¶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. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶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