VZCZCXRO3243
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHTO #1010 2540926
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 110926Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY MAPUTO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0699
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC

UNCLAS MAPUTO 001010 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: TBIO SENV SOCI PGOV PREL MZ
SUBJECT: H1N1 INFLUENZA CASE CONFIRMED IN MOZAMBIQUE 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  SUMMARY:  The Government of Mozambique (GRM) 
confirmed its first case of H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu) on 
August 17.  Preparations for the possible arrival of the 
influenza began in April, when the GRM began developing a 
response plan. The GRM has limited doses of Relenza and 
Tamiflu.  Post has a Pandemic Influenza Working Group to 
monitor the situation.  Mozambique's limited health care 
infrastructure could potentially be overwhelmed if a large 
number of cases were to develop.  END SUMMARY. 
 
----------------------------------- 
FIRST H1N1 CASE CONFIRMED IN AUGUST 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU)  On August 17, the GRM confirmed its first case of 
H1N1 Influenza A in a 46 year old woman evaluated at Maputo 
Central Hospital who had traveled to South Africa and 
developed symptoms on August 6.  Confirmatory testing was 
done at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases 
(NICD) in South Africa.  To date, Mozambique has had 21 
suspected cases but only 1 confirmed; 6 cases have laboratory 
results pending. 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  Preparations for the possible arrival of H1N1 
Influenza began in late April.  The Mozambique Ministry of 
Health (MISAU) convened a meeting on April 29 to discuss 
novel Influenza H1N1.  This included MISAU staff, other 
ministries (e.g. Agriculture) and other stakeholders, 
including NGOs, WHO, CDC, and USAID.  MISAU shared the 
measures that had already been taken including some 
communication to the press, orientation information sent to 
provincial staff, consideration of the reactivation of an 
Emergency Commission, communication to entry ports (seaports, 
airports), and work on a case investigation form.  MISAU 
previously developed an Avian Influenza Response Plan and 
Clinical Manual which is being adapted for H1N1 Influenza. 
 
------------------------------ 
GRM TAKING ADDITIONAL MEASURES 
------------------------------ 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  Since the April meeting, additional measures were 
taken including: (1) Communication materials were developed 
and disseminated through television, radio, newspapers, and 
talks in health facilities in Maputo and in the provinces; 
(2) Clinical response teams were identified and trained at 
Maputo Central Hospital and Emergency Departments of other 
hospitals; (3) The National Immunology Reference Lab of the 
National Institute of Health procured specimen collection 
kits, trained staff in safe specimen packaging, established a 
relationship with the National Institute of Communicable 
Diseases in Johannesburg for confirmatory testing, and 
recently received protocol and reagents to perform 
confirmatory testing in-country;  (4) MISAU has limited doses 
of Relenza that will expire soon and purchased an additional 
30,000 doses of Tamiflu and  (6) information is now being 
provided at airports and other border entry posts advising 
passengers with influenza-like illnesses to seek medical 
attention. 
 
¶5.  (SBU)  Post has a Pandemic Influenza Working Group and 
has updated its preparedness plans for Influenza. The working 
group is monitoring the situation closely. 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
COMMENT: HEALTH CARE INFRASTRUCTURE A CONCERN 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶6.  (SBU)  While the GRM, and MISAU in particular have put a 
response together, the health infrastructure in Mozambique 
remains extremely weak, even in Maputo.  If a large number of 
Influenza cases develop (H1N1 or other), these could 
potentially overwhelm the existing health capacity and drug 
supply available to the public.  It is also likely that the 
current surveillance system may fail to detect many cases 
that occur, especially those that occur outside of Maputo. 
CHAPMAN