VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAC #0102 0462103
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 152103Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY ASUNCION
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6613
INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ FEB LIMA 0403
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA
RUEAWJB/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC
RUEAWJB/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC

UNCLAS ASUNCION 000102 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR WHA/BSC KREAD, BFRIEDMAN, MDRUCKER; CA/OSC/WHA SCRAWFORD; 
EMBASSY LA PAZ FOR WQUILLIN; USAID FOR OFDA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID PREL AEMR CASC MASS SOCI TBIO AFSN PGOV PA
SUBJECT: YELLOW FEVER UPDATE 
 
 
¶1.  As of February 15, there are 46 reported cases of yellow fever 
in Paraguay.  Twenty-six are live cases; only five cases have been 
confirmed to date.  The first case of yellow fever surfaced January 
15 in San Estanislao, San Pedro Department. A team of experts 
dispatched to the region found five more cases between January 17 
and 30.  A second team of experts from the Central Laboratory was 
dispatched to the region January 23 and found five more suspected 
cases.  While the investigation is ongoing, preliminary indications 
are that the disease was spread by monkeys from Brazil into 
Paraguay.  Health authorities confirmed five cases of yellow fever 
February 4.  Since then, the virus spread to the suburbs of Asuncion 
and the number of reported cases has doubled.  The first urban case 
was reported in San Lorenzo, a suburb of Asuncion. 
 
¶2.  Public fears of an epidemic are surging.  Health Minister Oscar 
Martinez declared a "national epidemiological alert" February 8. 
Two days later, the Health Ministry announced that it had run out of 
vaccines.  The shortage has created chaos in some communities and 
complicated the GOP's ability to manage the outbreak.  On February 
5, the day after the Health Ministry confirmed the presence of 
yellow fever, thousands flooded health centers for vaccines. 
Following 13,000 vaccinations, the Health Minister announced 
February 6 that its supply was almost depleted and that the 
remaining vaccines would be used in San Pedro.  According to 
February 13 press reports, thousands of people residing in areas 
with confirmed cases of yellow fever were turned away from clinics 
when supplies were exhausted.  Approximately 4,000 residents of San 
Lorenzo protested the lack of vaccines by blocking a major highway 
February 13.  The government's public communications program has 
been spotty and ineffective. 
 
¶3.  The Pan-American Health Organization pledged to provide Paraguay 
with 400,000 vaccines (scheduled to arrive within 10 days); Brazil 
loaned Paraguay 50,000 vaccines February 14 and has offered 400,000 
more.  Peru promised approximately 300,000 doses, with 144,000 to be 
delivered February 15-17 and 250,000 more to arrive February 23-24. 
However, health officials estimate they will need 2 million vaccines 
to cover the north central part of the country and the greater 
Asuncion area.  If the outbreak multiplies exponentially, up to 4 
million vaccines could be required.  Per the CDC, when outbreaks 
occur among unprotected populations, case-fatality rates range from 
15 percent to more than 50 percent infected persons.  Approximately 
430,000 Paraguayans have been vaccinated in the last three years. 
 
¶4.  President Duarte Frutos formally declared a national emergency 
February 15.  The Health Minister formally asked the Ambassador in 
writing February 15 for the provision - either as a loan or donation 
- of yellow fever vaccine.  The Health Ministry also asked USAID 
February 15 to participate in an ad-hoc emergency situation 
committee stood up by PAHO.  In response, the Ambassador declared an 
emergency February 15, thus triggering USD 50,000 in emergency 
assistance.  Ambassador is seeking all possible assistance from USG 
and private sources.  Embassy officials are working with SOUTHCOM 
and OFDA in an effort to explore the purchase of vaccines.  SOUTHCOM 
will also dispatch a Naval Medical Research Institute (NAMRID) 
epidemiological team based in Peru February 18 at the specific 
request of the Health Ministry.  The vast majority of direct-hire 
Americans and Peace Corps volunteers in country have been 
vaccinated; Embassy is working with the Peruvian Embassy to secure 
vaccines for approximately 150 LES.  Embassy has been in frequent 
communication with the unofficial American community about the 
outbreak and current vaccines stocks, and will continue to keep the 
community abreast of developments. 
 
CASON