PORTUGAL H1N1 UPDATE: NUMBER THREE IN EUROPE

UNCLAS LISBON 000458 SIPDIS HHS FOR CDC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CASC AMED KFLU ETRD EAGR ECON EC PGOV PO SUBJECT: PORTUGAL H1N1 UPDATE: NUMBER THREE IN EUROPE ¶1. According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) Portugal has the highest rate of new H1N1 infection in Europe and is third in the total number of cases with 1,833 but has no confirmed fatalities to date. Portugal has a population of 10.7 million. 76 additional cases were confirmed in the last 24 hours. Eight patients are hospitalized, two of whom are expected to be released from the hospital shortly. Patients here range from 10 months to 90 years old, with 67 percent between 10 and 29 years old. Most of the new cases have occurred in the southern Algarve region, a popular domestic and international tourist destination. ¶2. Paulo Moreira of the ECDC Executive Committee maintained "the surge of cases in itself means nothing of concern to the country." Cristina Furtado, lead epidemiologist with the surveillance unit at the National Health Institute, attributed the higher number of cases to the country's efforts toward early diagnosis. Both researchers declined to predict when the spread of the illness will peak. Health Director Francisco George, however, said the country is experiencing higher than normal rates of influenza infection, with 700,000 cases reported in 2009 and more than twice that number expected next year. George expects infection rates to increase again with the beginning of the school year. ¶3. Health Minister Ana Jorge has been criticized recently for shortcomings in the dial-in national helpline, which has been overwhelmed with calls. The public has been instructed to call in if they suspect they are infected, but faced with hold times of 90 minutes or more, patients are instead proceeding directly to health centers, possibly infecting additional people along the way. After a meeting with GOP health officials, the company operating the health line agreed to expand capacity to deal with the increased call volume. ¶4. Despite the recent surge in infection rates Portuguese health officials are confident they are adequately prepared to deal with the illness. Portugal has placed an advance order for 6 million doses of H1N1 vaccine for 45 million euros. A vaccination campaign focused on the elderly, pregnant women, health professionals, and other high-risk groups is scheduled to begin September 15. For more reporting from Embassy Lisbon and information about Portugal, please see our Intelink site: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/portal:port ugal BALLARD