WHO INVESTIGATES POSSIBLE H1N1 CASES IN DRC

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000498 SIPDIS HHS PASS TO CDC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID SOCI TBIO PGOV CG SUBJECT: WHO INVESTIGATES POSSIBLE H1N1 CASES IN DRC ¶1. (U) USAID's Dr. Emile Bongo was able to contact a representative from the World Health Organization (WHO) today (May 26, 2009) and obtained the following update on the three possible cases of Swine FLU (H1N1) that were being investigated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. ¶2. (U) The possible case that was being investigated as of Friday (May 22),from Lubumbashi in the southern Katanga province has tested negative in South Africa's laboratory. This possible case involved an unidentified worker employed at Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. who reportedly had all of the symptoms of swine flu. This individual was initially strongly suspected of being a case because he was a Chilean citizen who had recently travelled from the South American continent. ¶3. (U) Apparently there was also a suspected case in Kinshasa over the weekend but it did meet the case definition for H1N1. This involved an individual from Brazil who arrived over the weekend at the Kinshasa airport with a fever, but no other symptoms of H1N1. Reportedly this individual is now doing well and no specimen was collected for testing. ¶4. (U) The WHO representative also stated a third possible case is currently under investigation from the eastern city of Goma in the Nord-Kivu Province. This possible case involves a patient who has not travelled outside the DR Congo. The sample from this individual was being sent to the South African Laboratory today. ¶5. (U) Post has no additional information at this time. BROCK