VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAC #0103/01 0462103
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 152103Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY ASUNCION
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6614
INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ FEB LIMA 0404
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 000103 
 
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