NICARAGUA: STILL NO CONFIRMED CASES OF H1N1

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAGUA 000525 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO KFLU KSAF ECON AMED CASC ASEC NU SUBJECT: NICARAGUA: STILL NO CONFIRMED CASES OF H1N1 REF: A. MANAGUA 0435 ¶B. MANAGUA 0454 ¶C. 2008 MANAGUA 0350 ¶1. (U) Summary: As of May 26, 2009, Nicaragua has reported no confirmed cases of H1N1 Influenza. In response to the H1N1 epidemic, the Ministry of Health (MINSA) is implementing its National Plan for Prevention of and Response to Human Influenza Epidemic, focusing on surveillance at ports of entry and prevention through education. U.S. Embassy Managua is assisting MINSA with USAID-funded community health training and rapid response team training at the municipal level. On May 9 the U.S. Department of Defense's SOUTHCOM Humanitarian Assiatance Program (HAP) delivered 5,000 units of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) designed for use by MINSA medical personnel. End summary. ¶2. (U) As of May 26, 2009, Nicaragua has reported no confirmed cases of H1N1. The Ministry of Health (MINSA) is the lead Nicaraguan agency on H1N1 preparation and response. MINSA has mobilized nationwide surveillance measures, an education campaign, and a plan to deal with the possible appearance of H1N1 Influenza. MINSA reports that it has administered 55 rapid diagnostic tests for Influenza A, but none has proved positive. MINSA is actively monitoring 49 suspicious cases, all of which are described as "under control." Minister of Health Guillermo Gonzalez has recognized publicly that it is only a matter of time before H1N1 reaches Nicaragua. Surveillance and Prevention -------------- ¶3. (U) In response to the H1N1 epidemic, the Ministry of Health (MINSA) is implementing its National Plan for Prevention of and Response to Human Influenza Epidemic. The plan focuses on surveillance at all ports of entry and prevention through education. At ports of entry, most particularly Managua's Sandino International Airport, health personnel closely screen passengers entering the country for flu symptoms and distribute information pamphlets. Before disembarking in Managua, all airline passengers complete forms describing medical symptoms, which authorities review as passengers pass through immigration control. Health officials use infrared imagers to screen airline passengers for high body temperature. On May 20, 2009, in fact, a passenger arriving from Miami was interviewed by health officials and transferred to a local hospital for observation and testing after infrared images revealed he had a fever. Test results proved negative for H1N1 Influenza. ¶4. (U) Surveillance for H1N1 among the general population is nationwide, but is most robust in Managua. MINSA has mounted a major education campaign designed to prevent the transmission of influenza. The Government of Nicaragua has designated local Citizen Power Councils, or CPC's, as the primary point of contact for the Nicaraguan people (Ref C). Nicaraguans with influenza are advised to remain at home and to contact their local CPC to arrange for a home medical visit by MINSA staff for testing and possible treatment. While politically motivated and controlled, there is no evidence at this time that the CPC's are applying partisan criteria to the provision of medical services related to H1N1. MINSA's influenza epidemic plan also calls for the mobilization of 35,000 health volunteers (brigadistas) to lead community-level activities nationwide. USAID Playing a Positive Role -------------- ¶5. (U) A USAID-funded community health project called FamiSalud, working in 70 of Nicaragua's poorest municipalities, is assisting MINSA to educate the public on H1N1. FamiSalud trains volunteers, conducts community meetings, and distributes written material on H1N1. FamiSalud has also briefed members of the Nicaraguan private sector. USAID also assists MINSA with rapid response team training at the municipal level and with the development of municipal response plans for pandemic influenza. Testing and Medical Supplies -------------- ¶6. (U) The Ministry of Health's national laboratory recently obtained the reagents necessary to test specifically for the H1N1 virus and continues to send samples to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta for confirmation. Authorities report they have stockpiled 73,000 courses of antiviral medication to treat an H1N1 outbreak -- enough treatments to cover about 1% of the population. ¶7. (U) On May 9 the U.S. Department of Defense's (DOD) SOUTHCOM Humanitarian Assistance Program (HAP) delivered 5,000 units of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) designed for use by MINSA medical personnel. The Ministry of Health accepted the PPE's and will distribute them as needed to hospitals and other care centers throughout the country. The DCM, along with USAID and DOD representatives, officially donated the items in a ceremony on May 12, which received wide press coverage. Embassy Preparedness and Outreach -------------- ¶8. (U) The Embassy posted a warden message on H1N1 Influenza on April 28 and will release another message should Nicaragua confirm a case of H1N1, or if the WHO raises its alert level to Stage 6 (indicating a full pandemic). The Consular Section has updated links and information on its website related to H1N1 and is staying in close contact with wardens to monitor developments in their areas of responsibility. ¶9. (U) Comment: MINSA's response to the outbreak has been impressive, given the lack of resources in the country. The question remains as to how effective MINSA will be should an outbreak occur. CALLAHAN