VZCZCXRO1486
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHTO #1047 2651507
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 221507Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY MAPUTO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0751
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0511
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC

UNCLAS MAPUTO 001047 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: TBIO SENV SOCI PGOV PREL MZ
SUBJECT: FIRST TWO H1N1 DEATHS CONFIRMED IN MOZAMBIQUE 
 
REF: MAPUTO 1010 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY:  The first death from H1N1 in Mozambique 
was reported on September 12, and the second was reported on 
September 19.  The first two were a 29 year old woman who 
died after a three day hospitalization on September 6, and a 
45 year old man who died on September 4.  Mozambique has 
documented 27 cases of H1N1 flu since its first case on 
August 17, with 71 suspected cases in total.  The Government 
of Mozambique (GRM) is developing a formal response plan and 
trying to address issues in supplies, documentation, and 
health worker training.  There are current shortages of 
testing materials and Mozambique is seeking assistance from 
donors for supplies.  While Mozambique is taking appropriate 
steps, the weak health sector does not have the resources to 
cope with large case numbers or severely ill patients.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
------------------------------ 
FIRST TWO H1N1 DEATH CONFIRMED 
------------------------------ 
 
¶2.  (U)  On September 12 the Government of Mozambique (GRM) 
reported its first death in a patient with H1N1 influenza. 
The patient, a 29 year-old woman reported to have a chronic 
illnesses, died in Maputo Central Hospital after a three day 
hospitalization.  A second death was reported on September 19 
of a 45 year old male patient who died on September 4. 
According to Ministry of Health (MISAU) spokesman Leonardo 
Chavane, 71 cases with H1N1 symptoms had been diagnosed in 
the capital as of September 19, of which 69 cases were 
undergoing tests, and 27 cases have returned positive 
results.  Of the 27 positive cases, 18 are female, 9 are 
male.  Of the 71 suspected cases, 11 patients are under the 
age of ten.  Besides the capital city, MISAU confirmed a 
total of four H1N1-positive cases in the provinces of Tete, 
Sofala, and Gaza.  Testing is done in South Africa because 
Mozambique does not have WHO-certified testing laboratories. 
Chavane explained that most H1N1-positive patients report 
recent foreign travel, particularly to South Africa. 
 
----------------------------------- 
CURRENT STATUS OF EPIDEMIC RESPONSE 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (U)  Mozambique is following World Health Organization 
guidelines and only testing severe cases, suspected flu 
deaths, and pregnant women (a defined high risk group for 
severe H1N1). Current preparedness issues identified by the 
GRM include: (1) Need for a communications plan and 
information dissemination in communities; (2) Shortages of 
supplies including testing materials; (3) Need to ensure 
appropriate triage at health facilities to ensure that 
potential flu patients are isolated from other patients and 
from staff; (4) Need to document and coordinate training 
within Ministry of Health staff on patient management and 
triage procedures; (5) Need to ensure forms are completed to 
count suspected cases in light of limited testing; (6) GRM is 
working on a formal implementation plan for influenza 
response.  According to Chavane, MISAU has trained 150 staff 
members who are in turn training doctors in the rest of the 
country to recognize the symptoms of H1N1. 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
COMMENT: HEALTH CARE INFRASTRUCTURE A CONCERN 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (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.  While GRM is taking 
appropriate actions to improve training, communication, and 
documentation of pandemic flu, minimal resources and 
infrastructure will be the limiting factor in Mozambique's 
ability to mobilize and sustain a response to even a moderate 
increase in influenza cases. 
CHAPMAN