Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SANTIAGO499
2009-05-28 18:36:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Santiago
Cable title:  

CHILE HAS 168 CONFIRMED H1N1 CASES; ALL BUT ONE IS MILD

Tags:  AMGT AMED CASC TBIO KFLU KSAF KSEAO KPAO KSTH ECON 
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VZCZCXRO5218
OO RUEHAST RUEHDH RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHPB RUEHPOD RUEHTM RUEHTRO
DE RUEHSG #0499 1481836
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 281836Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4990
INFO RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE
RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 2392
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA
UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000499 

STATE FOR WHA/BSC, WHA/EPSC AND OES/IHB
STATE FOR MED

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT AMED CASC TBIO KFLU KSAF KSEAO KPAO KSTH ECON
EAGR, CI
SUBJECT: CHILE HAS 168 CONFIRMED H1N1 CASES; ALL BUT ONE IS MILD

REFS: (A) Santiago 487; (B) Santiago 470; (C) Santiago 411; (C)
Santiago 402

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000499

STATE FOR WHA/BSC, WHA/EPSC AND OES/IHB
STATE FOR MED

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT AMED CASC TBIO KFLU KSAF KSEAO KPAO KSTH ECON
EAGR, CI
SUBJECT: CHILE HAS 168 CONFIRMED H1N1 CASES; ALL BUT ONE IS MILD

REFS: (A) Santiago 487; (B) Santiago 470; (C) Santiago 411; (C)
Santiago 402


1. According to the Ministry of Health's website (www.minsal.cl),
as of May 27, Chile has 168 cases of H1N1 influenza. There have
been no H1N1-related deaths. Although H1N1 has spread outside the
metropolitan Santiago region, many of the cases are mild.

168 CONFIRMED CASES OF H1N1; ONLY ONE IS SEVERE
-------------- --


2. The Institute of Public Health has confirmed 168 cases of
influenza A-H1N1 throughout Chile. The Ministry of Health (MOH)
website continues to report that although most patients have mild
symptoms there is at least one case with more severe symptoms. The
press reports that the serious case concerns a woman who was on an
extremely restricted calorie diet and is now hospitalized with
respiratory failure.

NEW STRATEGY FOCUS ON AT-RISK POPULATION
--------------


3. As of June 1, the GOC is changing its strategy to combat H1N1.
In addition to focusing treatment on more severe cases, priority
will be given to treating people with risk factors, i.e., patients
with cardiovascular disease, carriers of chronic diseases, people
with immune diseases related to diabetes or metabolic disorders,
pregnant women and children under 15 years old.

EMBASSY EMPLOYEES WITH DIRECT CONTACT TO H1N1 CASES
-------------- --------------


4. Over the past week, several Embassy staff have reported direct
contact with confirmed H1N1 cases, mostly through their children.
The employees have all sought appropriate medical assistance and
have been advised to stay home from work for 7 days as a
preventative measure.

FLU SEASON IN CHILE; NUMBER OF CASES EXPECTED TO RISE
-------------- --------------


5. This is the beginning of flu season in South America and,
although the rate of influenza infection in Chile is currently lower
than in previous years, the number of cases is expected to rise
significantly in the coming weeks. Post's H1N1 taskforce will
continue to meet provide updates to the Department, as needed.
SIMONS