MGSF01: SWINE FLU IN SPAIN SITREP ONE

UNCLAS MADRID 000422 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLO KSAF KPAO AEMR ASEC CASC TBIO SUBJECT: MGSF01: SWINE FLU IN SPAIN SITREP ONE REF: SECSTATE 42349 ¶1. As of April 28, we are aware of one confirmed case of swine flu in Spain, a 23 year-old recently returned to Spain from Mexico. He is hospitalized in Almansa, Albecete, and the press reports his condition is "evolving favorably." The Spanish national health service reports another 26 cases under investigation (four in Madrid, ten in Catalonia, and the rest scattered throughout the country). There are no reports of human to human transmission. Regularly scheduled commercial flights continue to arrive as normal from Mexico. Contact information is being collected from arriving passengers on those flights in case follow-up is required. The Spanish public health system, which is very capable and with which we have good contacts, reportedly has enough antivirals in stock to treat two million patients. The Madrid regional government has put in place a system whereby those with flu-like symptoms are encouraged to stay home and call 112 (the Spanish 911). Healthcare workers are then dispatched to collect blood samples. ¶2. Post's pandemic influenza working group (joined by the Regional Medical Manager who was here TDY for unrelated reasons) met April 28 to review the situation, our tripwires, and Embassy Health Unit procedures. The Health Unit has adequate stocks of antivirals and personal protective equipment. We will issue a staff notice on the situation, update our Embassy website, and provide Americans with links to the CDC and Spanish Ministry of Health websites (www.msc.es). We will continue to monitor the situation in Spain closely and will take further additional steps as necessary. CHACON