Warden Message: Brazil Confirms H1N1 2009 Influenza Cases

Consular Affairs Bulletins Report

U.S. Consulate General São Paulo issued the following Warden Message on May 8, 2009:

This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to the latest information regarding human cases of 2009-H1N1 Influenza, sometimes referred to as swine flu.  The Brazilian Ministry of Health reported yesterday evening (May 7) four confirmed cases of H1N1:  two in Sao Paulo; one in Rio de Janeiro; and one in Minas Gerais.  They are all Brazilian young adults and are in stable condition.  Three arrived from Mexico and one from the United States (Florida).  All contracted H1N1 while they were abroad, before landing in Brazil. 

On May 7, the Brazilian authorities received diagnostic kits from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) that enabled them to test cases.  Ninety-three individuals who were being monitored and were suspected of having H1N1, tested negative.  Fifteen specimens are still being analyzed and the results should be released today.

The Ministry of Health stated that it is continuing with previously implemented procedures for monitoring cases.  The Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) continues to monitor international flights arriving in Brazil.  All passengers arriving at the international airport in Rio who are suspected of having H1N1 symptoms will be evaluated by a medical team at the airport.  Airline crews have been asked to inform passengers about H1N1 symptoms during flight and ask passengers who suspect they may have these symptoms to identify themselves before landing in Brazil.  If necessary, sick travelers may be sent to one of three public hospitals in Rio prepared to receive H1N1 cases.  The airports are also distributing flyers about H1N1 in English, Portuguese, and Spanish to travelers arriving from countries with confirmed H1N1 cases.  If you are admitted to a hospital for observation, please contact the U.S. Consulate General immediately. 

The São Paulo Health Secretariat has indicated the four public hospitals mentioned below as “hospitals of reference,” which are equipped to treat H1N1 flu cases.  These hospitals are:  Hospital Universitário da Universidade de São Paulo (Butantã) at  Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 2565, Butantã, Hospital São Paulo (Unifesp) at Rua Napoleão de Barros 715, Vila Clementino, Hospital das Clínicas/Faculdade de Medicina de São Paulo at Av. Dr. Néas de Carvalho Aguiar 255, Cerqueira Cesar, Hospital de Infectologia Emílio Ribas Chagas at Av. Dr. Arnaldo 165, Cerqueira Cesar.  In neighboring states they are: Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Campo Grande at Rua Eduardo Santos Pereira 88,  Centro, Campo Grande, MS, Hospital de Clínicas – UFPR,at Rua General Carneiro 181, Centro, Curitiba, PR, Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição/GHC at Rua Domingos Rubro 20, Bairro Cristo Redentor, Porto Alegre, RS, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre/HCPA/UFRGS at Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2350, Porto Alegre, RS, Hospital Nereu Ramos at Rua Rui Barbosa, s/n,Bairro Agronomica, Florianópolis, SC, Hospital Infantil Santa Joana de Gusmão at Rua Rui Barbosa 152, Bairro Agronomica, Florianópolis, SC.  For other states in Brazil, please see ANVISA’s list at http://portal.saude.gov.br/portal/arquivos/pdf/lista_hosp_referencia.pdf.

WHO and CDC statistics show that most cases of influenza are not H1N1 Influenza and that the majority of H1N1 cases do not require hospitalization.  For further information about H1N1 Influenza, including steps you can take to stay healthy, please consult the Department of State information at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_pandemic.html, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/, the U.S. Government pandemic influenza website at http://www.pandemicflu.gov, and the World Health Organization website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html or a medical professional.  For information on Brazilian authorities’ procedures related to 2009 H1N1 flu, please consult the Ministry of Health at http://portal.saude.gov.br/portal/saude/profissional/area.cfm?id_area=1534 or contact the Ministry Hotline at 0800-611997.

For additional travel safety information, please consult the State Department's website at http://www.travel.state.gov.  U.S. citizens may also call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services in the United States for the latest travel information.  The Office of Overseas Citizens Services can be reached from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday, by calling 1-888-407-4747 from within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling (202) 501-4444 from other countries.

People with flu-like symptoms who have appointments for American Citizens Services and visa interviews are encouraged to re-schedule for a date after they are symptom-free.  Americans living or traveling in Brazil are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Brazil.  Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.  The U.S. Consulate General in São Paulo is located at Rua Henri Dunant 500, Chácara Santo Antonio, CEP 04709-110 and can be reached at phone number 11-5186-7315, “emergency after-hours” phone number  11-5181-8730, American Citizen Services fax number 11-5186-7159, e-mail acsinfosaopaulo@state.gov, and website www.embaixadaamericana.org.br.