VZCZCXRO4594
RR RUEHCD RUEHGD RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHRD RUEHRS RUEHTM
DE RUEHME #1228/01 1211951
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 011951Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6344
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
INFO RUEHXQ/ALL EUROPEAN UNION POST COLLECTIVE
RUEHXC/ALL US CONSULATES IN MEXICO COLLECTIVE
RUEHGT/AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA 3828
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0496
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 2545
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0193
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1119

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 MEXICO 001228 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/MEX, WHA/PDA, STATE FOR OES/IHB, PA, CAPRESS; 
STATE FOR MED/DASHO (MCFADDEN, RINALDO, KEYES); STATE FOR 
MED/DIR (PENNER); STATE FOR DS/IP/WHA; CDC FOR 
CCID/NCPDCID, CCID/NCIRD AND COGH/DPPPC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC CVIS CASC KSCA TBIO MX
SUBJECT:  SITREP 7 - H1N1 FLU OUTBREAK IN MEXICO CITY 
 
¶1. (U) SUMMARY: 
--------------- 
 
April 30 GOM estimates of confirmed H1N1 cases and deaths 
rose to 260 cases, including 12 deaths. On April 30, the 
Embassy issued an updated warden statement and announced that 
Mission operations will be closed on May 4, 2009. This 
closure complies with the GOM's decision to close its 
non-emergency operations in government offices. 
 
¶2.  (U) FEDERAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACTIONS: 
------------------------------------------- 
 
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: 
 
-- At a press conference on Aril 30, Secretary of Health 
Cordova announced that the GOM will now have six labs running 
tests in Mexico City, Veracruz, and Acapulco. 
 
-- There are currently no plans to postpone elections, 
however, the GOM postponed electoral training activities and 
recommended political parties to prevent large crowds during 
political campaigns. 
 
-- In response to the GOM's April 29 request for assistance, 
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced 
the donation of 4M doses (400K courses) of Tamiflu to arrive 
in Mexico Mary 1, 2009.  Moreover, on April 29 the US Embassy 
announced assistance of USD 5 million to the World Health 
Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization 
(PAHO) to support Mexico's efforts to contain the spread of 
the H1N1 Influenza in Mexico.  The funds will provide 
equipment and supplies that will facilitate the diagnosis and 
treatment of people suffering from the disease. In addition, 
USAID/OFDA is currently preparing 100,000 personal protective 
equipment kits (PPE kits) to deliver to healthcare workers in 
Mexico. 
 
 
MEXICO CITY GOVERNMENT: 
 
On April 30, Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard said that there 
had been a reduction of the number of influenza cases 
reported, but encouraged everyone to continue following 
precautionary measures.  He also said that his administration 
and that of other state governments need to channel resources 
towards equipment and improvements in health and medical 
facilities. 
 
 
¶3.  (U) ACTIONS BY NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS: 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
Nothing new to report. 
 
 
¶4.  (SBU) STATISTICS: 
--------------------- 
 
-- At a press conference on April 30, the Secretary of Health 
Cordova said the number of new H1N1 flu cases was 
stabilizing.  Cordova says he hopes that trend will continue 
and that a vaccine will be available in six months. 
 
-- Cordova confirmed a total of 260 H1N1 flu cases, including 
12 deaths. He said he will no longer give figures on 
possible/suspect cases to avoid confusion.  He explained that 
the increase in the number of deaths did not mean more people 
died in the past 24 hours, but that authorities have been 
able to confirm more cases through the lab tests.  Note:  We 
continue to have problems obtaining consistent government 
statistical data. End Note. 
 
--Hospital capacity/occupancy remains at an estimated 70%. 
 
MEXICO 00001228  002 OF 007 
 
 
 
 
 
¶5.  (U) MANAGEMENT ISSUES: 
-------------------------- 
 
-- Operation of the Embassy's call center (with 3 phones and 
3 computers) began on April 30. Callers can either dial 
direct or access the center through the main embassy greeting 
(press 1 for influenza info, then press 0 to speak to a call 
center staffer). 
 
-- Mission operations will be closed on May 4, 2009. This 
closure complies with the GOM's decision to close its 
non-emergency operations in government offices.   Tuesday, 
May 5, 2009 is also a national holiday. Mission Mexico 
operations will resume on Wednesday, May 6, 2009. 
 
-- Post continues to encourage the use of liberal leave for 
any personal concerns related to the flu. 
 
-- Embassy is denying all TDY travel except those responding 
to the H1N1 flu outbreak and TDYs that are deemed absolutely 
mission essential.  This includes the retraction of country 
clearances already granted. 
 
 
¶6.  (U) SECURITY ISSUES: 
------------------------ 
 
-- A warden check was conducted on April 29 with an 80 
percent response rate (within 2 hours of initial contact).  A 
radio check is planned for the weekend. 
 
-- Embassy convened an EAC and virtual town hall with 300 
participants on April 30.  The next EAC meeting is scheduled 
for Wednesday, May 6, 0900 local time. 
 
 
¶7.  (U) CONSULAR ISSUES: 
------------------------ 
 
-- U.S. EMBASSY:  The Embassy issued an updated warden 
message April 30, the sixth in seven days.  The message 
refers to the latest information regarding H1N1 Influenza A 
and alerts Amcits to the enhanced health screening for all 
international passengers departing Mexico from Mexico City 
(Benito Juarez), Guadalajara, Monterrey, Cancun, Cabo San 
Lucas, and Puerto Vallarta airports.  Passengers with high 
temperatures or testing positive for the H1N1 virus will be 
denied boarding. 
 
-- NIV appointments have been suspended through the end of 
next week (May 8). 
 
-- The Embassy call center received over 400 H1N1-flu related 
calls on April 30, less than the previous day. 
 
-- PEACE CORPS:  Peace Corps (PC) Mexico currently has 57 
volunteers in Mexico, all of which were put on a 
Q&standfastQ8 status April 29.  (Note:  Standfast in the PC 
Emergency Action Plan means that volunteers must stay near 
their sites, with no incidental travel away from their home 
of work sites.)  PC volunteers have been kept fully informed 
of all Embassy, WHO, and GOM communiquQs.  All volunteers 
have been contacted by both cell phones and email and are 
required to check in daily with PC headquarters in Queretaro 
for any further instructions.  Volunteers are advised not to 
take public transportation or stay in crowded venues. 
 
-- CONSULATE, CIUDAD JUAREZ: Consular employees contacted 
applicants impacted by the suspension in services to notify 
them that immigrant visa (IV) interviews are suspended until 
May 8.  All other consular operations at the U.S. Consulate 
 
MEXICO 00001228  003 OF 007 
 
 
General in Ciudad Juarez report no other significant change 
in operations since the April 29 SitRep.  IV operations will 
now be suspended through May 15.  The National Visa Center is 
notifying applicants scheduled the May 11 through May 15. 
-- CONSULATE, GUADALAJARA: ACS handled approximately 25 cases 
today. The Visa Section handled three emergency cases. 
 
 
 
-- CONSULATE, NOGALES:  The consulate has not received any 
calls regarding the flu outbreak in the past three days. 
Visa services are suspended until May 8th.  ACS services 
continue with limited service for emergencies and will accept 
passport/CRBA applications.  Employee absenteeism continues 
within normal limits.  A meeting of the local Integrated 
Emergency Management Group has been scheduled for Thursday 
May 7Q 
 
-- U.S. CONSULATE, MERIDA:  There has not been a noticeable 
increase in the demand for American Citizen Services.  None 
of the Consulate staff to date has exercised the liberal sick 
leave policy.   Staff and EFMs remain calm. The Consulate 
held another town hall meeting today to pass information on 
the H1N1 virus and provide guidance should a staff member 
fall ill over the weekend. The Consulate will also perform a 
test on the mission phone tree tonight to prepare for any 
contingencies over the long weekend. 
 
-- U.S. CONSULATE, MONTERREY:  Post held a town hall meeting 
on April 29 to emphasize that H1N1 flu responds to treatment 
if prompt medical attention is sought.  American Citizen 
Services (ACS) has issued warden messages forwarded by 
Embassy, so now five warden messages have been sent to the 
local American community.  NIV received only a handful of 
phone calls and four e-mail inquiries about visas.  One 
emergency O1 visa renewal for a physician working in Texas 
was issued.  The Monterrey Applicant Services Center (ASC) is 
closed to the public but minimal staff are working. 
 
-- U.S. CONSULATE TIJUANA:  The suspension of non-essential 
consular services has been very smooth.  The call center was 
successful in re-programming all non-emergency NIV 
appointments without problems Q* no applicants came to the 
Consulate after Tuesday, and there were only 4 that day.  NIV 
has received only a few requests for emergency appointments 
and has processed only 5 visas.  Some passport and CRBA 
applicants have rescheduled, but most kept their 
appointments.  The number of public inquiries to the 
Consulate concerning suspension of services or general 
concern over the H1N1 flu situation have been surprisingly 
low, including very few from the families of our prisoners. 
 
 
¶8.  (U) BORDER AND CONSULATE ISSUES: 
----------------------------------- 
 
-- CIUDAD JUAREZ: Following the GOM's lead, Chihuahua State 
and Juarez Municipal governments will suspend all 
non-essential activities from May 1 to May 6.  In Ciudad 
Juarez, the Mayor's office told Post that the Municipal 
Police, Health Department, and the Department of Civil 
Protection will remain open.  These closures add to earlier 
announcements by State authorities that all public events, 
bars, nights, movies, gyms, and other large gatherings will 
be suspended until May 6. 
 
Poloff observed normal activity during visits on April 29 to 
hospitals and bus stations in Ciudad Juarez.  The medical 
personnel at the largest bus station in the city reported no 
cases of sick passengers.  Despite the municipal government's 
claim on April 29 that 200,000 brochures were printed and 
being distributed, personnel at the hospitals and bus 
stations that poloff visited did not have brochures. 
 
 
MEXICO 00001228  004 OF 007 
 
 
CBP reports that passenger and vehicle traffic has not 
changed significantly since the H1N1 outbreak began. 
(Passenger and vehicle traffic at international bridges in El 
Paso/Ciudad Juarez increased by less than 1 percent from 
April 19-21 to April 26-28.) The Juarez delegate to the 
National Chamber of Commerce (CANACO) estimates that the 
city's economy will lose approximately USD $ 115 million as a 
result of the business and event closures related to the H1N1 
flu.  According to the Maquiladora Association of Juarez 
(AMAC), manufacturing plants will offer temporary leave to 
employees with school-aged children due to the federal 
government's decision to close schools.  AMAC reports that 
the many of the city's manufacturing plants were already 
operating only three days a week due to the economic slowdown. 
 
-- GUADALAJARA:  Following suit from the national closures 
from May 1-6, state and local officials have declared their 
closures until May 6.  RSO reports no significant incidents 
in the area and no Q&panic buyingQ8 as of yet. Public transit 
and airline flights continue to operate normally. As a result 
of the epidemic, the Jalisco Chamber of Bars and Restaurants 
estimates that their members have lost some $450 million 
pesos, and hotels are seeing their numbers drop by about 25%. 
 
-- NOGALES:  Public reaction remains the same throughout 
Nogales, that is to say, people appear calm and public use of 
masks is light.  CBP reports heavier than normal northbound 
traffic at both Nogales ports of entry.  CBP added that 
northbound traffic has been inconsistent in the last few 
weeks and they are not able to make the assertion that the 
heavier than normal traffic today is due to the current 
health situation. 
 
--MERIDA:  Cancun airport is installing 50 thermo-detectors 
to screen for fever in arriving and departing passengers. 
Merida airport stated it has personnel with wireless 
thermometers to measure the temperatures of departing 
passengers.  The airport is still requiring all passengers to 
fill out a health questionnaire.  In the Yucatan, local press 
is reporting a 70% drop in use of local transportation and 
31% of hotel reservations in the state have been canceled. 
Local archeological sites and cinemas remain closed.  The 
Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad is preparing one floor 
of the hospital in order to isolate any potential cases 
 
-- MONTERREY:  Campaign rallies for the candidates for Nuevo 
Leon Governor have been postponed, and it is possible that 
the campaigns for federal Congressional seats will be 
postponed as well.  The government in San Luis Potosi has 
closed nightclubs, restaurants, bars and health clubs, and 
they are disinfecting public buses.   In addition, the San 
Luis Potosi public and private hospitals have supplies of 
anti-flu medication.  In Coahuila, the government is 
distributing 500,000 face masks, and Tamiflu is also 
available. 
 
The PAN Mayor of the Monterrey suburb of Santa Catarina told 
the CG that the PAN Mayors throughout Mexico would meet on 
May 5, probably in Queretaro (but possibly in Zacatecas) to 
discuss their public message on the H1N1 crisis.  Zacatecas 
city mayor Cuahtemoc Calderon, the head of the PAN Mayors 
group (ANAC), would chair the meeting. 
 
Traffic remains very light in Nuevo Leon, and many post 
contacts are traveling to Texas for the long holiday weekend. 
 A number of public and private venues have closed 
voluntarily.  In San Luis Potosi (SLP), the situation appears 
to be under control, and despite the closing of public venues 
such as restaurants and bars, people seem calmer than before. 
 Church services have also been suspended.  Most people are 
staying home and many are wearing face masks. Some people 
plan to leave for the United States for the long holiday 
weekend.  The SLP consular agency is informing the public 
that the border remains open but to expect possible delays. 
 
MEXICO 00001228  005 OF 007 
 
 
The Monterrey Consulate and the SLP consular agency are both 
providing information about the CBP website on border wait 
times.  Meanwhile, in Durango, private businesses report that 
restaurant business has declined 15-60%. 
 
 
-- TIJUANA:  Government offices will close throughout our 
district in accordance with the ordered closures announced by 
the GOM. Prisons and state penitentiaries have suspended all 
visits with inmates until further notice.  No other closures 
have been ordered.  Restaurants and shops remain open, but 
very empty.  Churches announced they will have services but 
will take measures to limit person to person contact.  Many 
newspapers included special inserts in today's editions on 
how to protect yourself from the flu. 
 
Border wait times continue to be very low.  CBP reports that 
they are passively screening individuals for possible 
illness. Unconfirmed media reports indicate that as many as 
50 people were referred to secondary inspection yesterday due 
to concerns over possible illnesses. 
 
Shops and restaurants continue to see a slowdown in business 
with the exception of the sale facemasks, which are now 
becoming very scarce.  Several cruise ships originally 
scheduled to make stops in Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas were 
diverted away from our district and will now remain in the 
US.  Air travel in and out of the Tijuana airport continues 
as normal with virtually no cancellations.  In-coming and 
out-going air travelers are being screened on a selective 
basis. 
 
 
--MATAMOROS:  All businesses appear to be closing on Monday. 
 
 
--NUEVO LAREDO:  There continues to be less-than-normal 
traffic going to the U.S. April 30 from Nuevo Laredo. 
Restaurants continue to be open. There are only a few people 
on the streets in face masks and the public is calm. Post has 
had only one call about the flu since the H1N1 flu began. 
 
¶9.  (U) MEDIA REACTION/GENERAL POPULATION SENTIMENTS: 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
The Mexican media's coverage of the swine flu outbreak on 
April 30 focused on the GOM's announcement to suspend all 
non-essential federal services from May 1 to 5. Reports 
highlighted that Q&production and availability of food, 
medicine and basic services is guaranteed.Q8 Headlines 
included, Q&Government, factories suspend labor for five 
daysQ8 (El Universal); Q&Holiday decreedQ8 (Reforma); 
Q&Calderon says stay homeQ8 (Milenio); Q&Government suspends 
public servicesQ8 (Excelsior). Media coverage also reported 
the raising of the WHO alert level to 5. Commentators pointed 
out that this Q&does not change the measures that Mexico is 
already taking and does not mean the virus is more dangerous, 
only that there are more cases around the world.Q8 
 
Newspaper Reforma featured a poll that shows divided opinion 
among Mexicans. According to the poll, 49% of Mexicans said 
they fear contagion, while the other 50% said they were not 
concerned. Most media also featured reports that US 
legislators have asked the US Secretary of Homeland Security 
to consider closing the border with Mexico, and the negative 
response of President Obama to this petition. The media also 
reported on the installation of thermo scanners in the Mexico 
City airport and the suspension of visa appointments in the 
U.S. Consulates in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez. 
 
Also noteworthy was President CalderonQ,s meeting with former 
Health secretaries to hear their views on how to go about the 
outbreak, and the statement by the Secretary of Finance who 
estimated Mexico's GDP will drop a further 0.5% due to the 
 
MEXICO 00001228  006 OF 007 
 
 
outbreak but assured that the GOM has enough resources under 
the Catastrophe Expenses Fund and the swap lines with the 
World Bank and the Inter American Development Bank. 
 
 
¶10.  (U) ECONOMIC IMPACT 
------------------------ 
 
FOOD SUPPLY:  Wal-Mart supermarkets, Mexico's largest 
supermarket chain, see no supply problems for the foreseeable 
future.  Apart from low stocks of cleaning alcohol, face 
masks and vitamin C, Wal-Mart does not foresee running out of 
any basic items.  If some brands do sell out (i.e. tuna), 
they have other brands available.  Masks have been a problem, 
and their US parent store has ordered several million. 
Wal-Mart Mexico's stores (Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Bodega 
Aurrera, Superama, Suburbia) are showing a slight surge in 
sales, consistent with last week's pattern, particularly in 
higher income neighborhoods. 
 
Modest (i.e. not panicked) stockpiling by consumers is 
generalized, but more pronounced in higher income areas. 
There is also a general concern that many people are using 
credit cards to charge their groceries, bucking a previous 
trend towards cash.  Wal-Mart is also the owner of the 
largest restaurant chain in Mexico, VIPS.  Their restaurants 
in the DF are open for take-out only, and revenues are at 17% 
of their usual levels.  Restaurants in the rest of the 
country are running at 50%, with different states requiring 
different maximum occupancy rates.  Wal-Mart is fine with 
this for the moment and comfortable with the level of 
operations. 
 
The Central de Abasto, Mexico City's city-run central food 
distribution market has put out a press release announcing 
that it will Q&guaranteeQ8 the supply of food to the city. 
The city says there has been no interruption of any food 
supply. 
 
 
¶11.  TRANSPORTATION 
-------------------- 
 
In a 30 April press conference, Secretary of Communications 
and Transportation Molinar Horcasitas emphasized the GOM's 
commitment to guarantee transportation service.  He noted 
that trucking companies are operating normally, but that 
passenger loads on public transportation, from minibuses to 
airplanes, have declined.  He stressed that the supply of 
food is not at risk.  The Secretary's comments track with our 
grasp of the transport situation.  The Secretary also noted 
he had talked by phone on 29 April with his counterparts in 
the U.S., UK, Spain, Italy, and France -- making special 
mention of the EU's decision not to suspend air traffic to 
Mexico. 
 
Both terminals at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) 
are screening outbound passengers as of 30 April, including 
thermometer readings for all.  The process is not at this 
point delaying departures.  AICM is beginning an information 
campaign to reinforce the message that the facility is open 
and functioning normally.  Flight cancellations remain few in 
number.  Airports such as Cancun, dedicated more directly to 
tourist travel, are seeing a more pronounced slowdown.  The 
new measures implemented by the Secretariat of Communications 
and Transportation could spread to additional airports beyond 
the initial 6 once the logistics are mastered at the first 
sites, according to a contact at the Directorate General for 
Civil Aviation (DGAC, Mexico's FAA). 
 
Passenger volume on inbound flights from the U.S. is now very 
low.  Load factors of 15-20% are common.  Outbound traffic 
remains brisk.  Reservation centers are not/not recording 
large numbers of Mexican nationals leaving the country, apart 
 
MEXICO 00001228  007 OF 007 
 
 
from regular vacation travel booked well in advance. 
Wide-body flights from Europe show very low, while outbound 
flights are full of European tourists, many of whom have 
advanced their departure dates. 
 
Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North American 
Partnership Blog at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap / 
BASSETT