SPAIN H1N1 UPDATE: 1,526 CONFIRMED CASES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MADRID 000745 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/CE PETER SCHROEDER; FOR OES/IHB STATE FOR AID/GH/HIDN USDA PASS TO APHIS HHS PASS TO CDC FOR OGHA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO KFLU ECON PREL SOCI CASC EAGR CH FR SP SUBJECT: SPAIN H1N1 UPDATE: 1,526 CONFIRMED CASES ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: While official figures are not available, media reports say that there are currently 1,526 H1N1 cases in Spain, the majority of which are mild. To date, four people have died and 18 are in intensive care. Off the record estimates by public health officials put the number of infected individuals at closer to 10,000. Five members of the Embassy community reported H1N1 symptoms and were evaluated for exposure on July 23. Most of the seventh-graders in a Johns Hopkins University summer program who were affected by an H1N1 outbreak have now departed Spain. The Health Ministry announced plans to improve coordination and preparation in advance of an expected increase of infections. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) On June 12, Health Minister Trinidad Jimenez announced that her ministry would discontinue reporting new cases in order to avoid the "numbers dance." Doctors are now only testing cases that require hospitalization and are diagnosing cases based on exposure and epidemiological criteria. Media reports say there are 1,526 H1N1 cases in Spain, most of which are mild. To date, four people have died and 18 are presently in intensive care. Off the record estimates by doctors and public health authorities put the number of infected individuals at closer to 10,000. They say that there are severe cases in all 17 communities of Spain. They are also seeing numerous suspected cases of children from summer camps throughout Spain, some of which have been confirmed by testing. Additionally, media reports indicate that two Spanish student groups suspected of having H1N1 are being held in isolation in Paris and Beijing. Infections involving AMCITS ¶3. (SBU) Five members of the Embassy community have reported H1N1 symptoms, following a visit by a Marine Security Guard--on leave here while en route to Romania--who later tested positive for H1N1. He presented symptoms on arrival in Romania, tested positive, and is now receiving treatment. The Embassy community members went for testing at a local hospital on July 23. However, under the protocol Spanish medical authorities are now applying, since they did not require hospitalization, the doctors performed evaluations only. They consider the group positive for H1N1 exposure, applying epidemiological criteria. The Embassy Health Unit is currently caring for the five individuals and they are progressing well. The Health Unit is also closely monitoring personnel who have had contact with the five individuals and the Embassy held a town hall meeting to reiterate procedures to be used to restrict the spread of flu. ¶4. (SBU) A twelve-year-old AMCIT boy residing in Cadiz tested positive for H1N1 and is currently receiving treatment. He is expected to recover fully. ¶5. (SBU) An outbreak of H1N1 at a summer program for gifted seventh-graders run by Johns Hopkins University was the subject of a duty case with congressional interest from Representative Mark Schauer (D-MI). Of a group of 56 students studying in Madrid, an estimated 14 tested positive for H1N1 and were put in isolation. Program administrator Jenny Sutton told Econoff that they followed health protocols in accordance with Spain's Ministry of Health and advice from International SOS. As of July 23, the program has released all students to their parents or authorized representatives and most have departed Spain about a week earlier than scheduled. Spanish Government Preparing for Increase in Infections ¶6. (U) Minister of Health Trinidad Jimenez announced plans to improve coordination and preparation in advance of an expected increase in H1N1 infections this fall. The National Health Services expect to be able to treat up to 15.4 million people--about 30% of Spain's population--for the H1N1 virus. Jimenez announced that Spain currently has enough medicine to treat 9.5 million people, and that it is divided according to population and need among the 17 autonomous communities. The Health Ministry has ordered more, and expects a shipment in late August of two million anti-viral doses. There are no MADRID 00000745 002 OF 002 plans to close schools, but the Ministry intends to launch a public awareness campaign. CHACON