ECUADOR H1N1 UPDATE: GOE WARNS FOREIGN MISSIONS OF POSSIBLE

UNCLAS QUITO 000740 SENSITIVE SIPDIS HHS PASS TO CDC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CASC AMED KFLU ETRD EAGR ECON EC SUBJECT: ECUADOR H1N1 UPDATE: GOE WARNS FOREIGN MISSIONS OF POSSIBLE CONTAGION DURING CORREA'S INAUGURATION REFTEL A: QUITO 655 B: QUITO 597 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The H1N1 influenza virus continues its gradual expansion in Ecuador, with Ecuadoran press reporting August 14 that several GoE employees close to President Correa have recently become infected. These include one of Correa's closest Ministers and the chief of his security detail. GoE personnel close to the President, as well as the President himself, are under medical observation. On August 14 the embassy received a diplomatic note addressed to foreign missions and international organizations warning the foreign delegations that attended President Correa's August 10 inauguration to take appropriate precautions. The GoE reports 21 deaths and 682 cases of H1N1 flu to date. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) On August 13, the Ministry of Public Health confirmed to the public that Ecuador's Minister of Policy, Ricardo Patino, and presidential Security Chief Johnny Merino had become infected with the H1N1 virus. Patino and Merino are in a local hospital receiving Tamiflu treatment. (Patino is in stable condition, but Merino is in intensive care). A second presidential security guard has also contracted the H1N1 virus. ¶3. (SBU) GoE Vice Minister of Health Marcelo Aguilar stated to local media that, "Anyone who has been in close contact with the infected people is under observation, including the President." President Correa is reportedly asymptomatic. The President's spokesman told Econoff August 14 that the presidential press room and the President's office have been disinfected. All visitors to the President's office in Carondelet Palace, including press, must wear protective masks. ¶4. (SBU) The Ministry of Foreign Relations formally informed all diplomatic missions and international organizations in a diplomatic note dated August 12 (but which arrived August 14) of the H1N1 cases among President Correa's staff. In the dipnote, the Ministry warns that all foreign delegations that may have had contact with GoE authorities during the President's August 10 inaugural events should take appropriate precautions. It also asks that any cases of H1N1 that may have derived from contact with infected individuals in Ecuador be reported back to the GoE. ¶5. (SBU) The GOE reports 21 fatalities and a total of 682 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu as of August 14 throughout Ecuador. However, since many influenza cases go unreported, the real number of cases is likely to be significantly higher. (GOE public health interventions were reported refs A and B.) According to the GoE Ministry of Health's website, H1N1 influenza cases are distributed among the provinces as follows: Guayas (Guayaquil)(237),Pichincha (Quito)(145),El Oro (21),Manabi (Manta)(35),Azuay (Cuenca)(52), Caar (8),Chimborazo (35),Tungurahua (12),Pastaza (10),Carchi (6),Esmeraldas (12),Loja (45),Morona Santiago (7),Napo (3),Los Rios (16),Cotopaxi (6),Imbabura (6),Zamora Chinchipe (6),Santo Domingo (5),Santa Elena (4),Orellana (1),and Bolivar (9). Hodges