CHILE: Over 5,100 Confirmed A/H1N1 CASES;

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000610

STATE FOR WHA/BSC, WHA/EPSC
STATE FOR OES/IHB - PASS TO LISA MILLER
STATE FOR MED
CDC - PASS TO ANTHONY MOUNTS
EMBASSY LIMA - PASS TO RMO/DR. R. MICHAEL NESEMANN

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL CI

SUBJECT: CHILE: Over 5,100 Confirmed A/H1N1 CASES;

REFS: (A) Santiago 574; (B) Santiago 562


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: As of June 23, Chile's Ministry of Health (MINSAL)
reported 5,186 cases of A/H1N1 confirmed by laboratory testing and
related 7 deaths. If clinically diagnosed cases are included, the
total number of infected people is significantly higher. According
to MINSAL, emergency measures had been implemented to cope with high
demands at hospitals, including the distribution of medical
personnel, equipment and treatment courses throughout the country.
The media is reporting long waits in emergency rooms, public
hospitals on the edge of collapse, and serious drops in school
attendance. On June 25, the Minister of Health announced an
additional $4 million for public hospitals to deal with A/H1N1.
International cooperation on health issues was a topic during
President Bachelet's visit to the United States and Mexico this
week. END SUMMARY.

Evolution of AH1N1
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2. (U) As of June 23, Chile's Public Health Institute (ISP) had
confirmed 5,186 cases of AH1N1 using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
laboratory tests. MINSAL is strictly only reporting those cases
confirmed through laboratory testing, and not including clinically
diagnosed cases in the tally. Among confirmed cases, 3.5% have
required hospitalization, 17.2% are under treatment at their homes,
and 7 patients have died (0.1%). Below is a breakdown for cases
reported as of June 23:

- Total confirmed cases via PCR at ISP: 1,071;
- Total confirmed cases via PCR at private hospitals: 4,115;
- Total confirmed cases via PCR with severe respiratory
complications: 183;
- Total confirmed cases via PCR resulting in death: 7;
- Total confirmed cases for ages 20 and 39 years old: 987; and,
- Age group most affected by AH1N1 is between 5 and 19 years old:
3,117 cases (61% of total).

Emergency Rooms Under Pressure
--------------


3. (U) In addition to A/H1N1, Chile is coping with seasonal
influenza and respiratory viruses, such as sincicial respiratory
virus. This confluence is placing unprecedented demands on both
private and public health and emergency services and created Waiting
times of up 7 hours at public hospitals, which are reported by the
media to be on the verge of collapse. Emergency room visits for
respiratory complaints have tripled, from about 200 patients daily
to close to 700. According to MINSAL, the high demand on emergency
room services will continue for at least two more weeks.


4. (U) The number of hospitalizations of children due to both A/H1N1
and the sincicial is currently about 110 per day and increasing.
About 35 adults are being hospitalized each day, mostly for A/H1N1,
compared to 25 per day in 2008. As of June 25, there two more
deaths linked to A/H1N1, a 22-year old college student and a 6-year
old, both from southern Chile.

Measures to Cope with H1N1 - $4 Million for Public Hospitals
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5. (U) MINSAL is implementing the June 17 emergency decree,
reinforcing the primary emergency health care system by increasing
working hours, the number of physicians (especially pediatricians,
and the number of available treatment rooms. Care is prioritized
based upon severity of symptoms, not order of arrival, which has
resulted in long wait times for many patients. MINSAL will also be
distributing 75 new ventilation support units and 5 new PCR (ref b)
laboratory machines throughout the country.

6. (U) On June 25, Minister of Health Alvaro Erazo announced that
Chile would budget an additional $4 million to enhance public
hospitals' capacity to handle the spread of A/H1N1. Saying that
"the Chilean health system is in one of its more complex situations"
and consultations for influenza cases continue to increase, Erazo
explained the budget will focus on building more emergency rooms at
public hospitals and reinforcing health centers outside of
Santiago.

7. (U) MINSAL continues to report that only 305,000 treatments
courses of Oseltamivir (Tamiflu and generic) have been distributed
to public and private emergency rooms throughout the country
(reftels). In addition, MINSAL still retains 650,000 treatment
courses, an amount it deems "sufficient, according to the evolution
of the pandemic so far in Chile."

Seasonal Viruses and AH1N1 Impacting School Attendance
-------------- --------------


8. (U) AH1N1 and other seasonal diseases have increased absenteeism
in schools. Absentee rates for the schools located in the eastern
side of Santiago (most of them private) has hit 30%, and has been
most pronounced among elementary schools. [Note: Not all absences
are due to illness because some parents may be keeping children,
especially elementary age kids, out of class. End note]. Some
private schools have temporarily closed because sickness has reduced
teaching staff. However, the Ministry of Education has ruled out
closing schools or moving up the regularly scheduled winter vacation
(July 13-27).

COMMENT: CHILE Seeks Collaboration, Not Assistance
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9. (SBU) To Post's knowledge, the GOC has not sought international
assistance in dealing with the pandemic. During her visit to
Washington, however, President Bachelet called on countries to work
together to mitigate the impact of A/H1N1 on public health and
criticized "protectionist" measures such as travel restrictions as
counterproductive. MINSAL is taking all possible measures to
increase human capacity and equipment for the public health care
system and undertaking research and studies on the behavior of the
virus. Chile continues to work closely with PAHO, and a team from
the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is
exchanging information and expertise with Chilean health officials
to better evaluate the epidemic. END COMMENT.
SIMONS