Cablegate: Dengue Fever Epidemic Accelerates, with Increasing

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O 031821Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY PRAIA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1866
INFO AMEMBASSY DAKAR IMMEDIATE
CDC ATLANTA GA
AMEMBASSY PRAIA

UNCLAS PRAIA 000209

DEPARTMENT FOR MED
DAKAR FOR DR. MIRON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SOCI CDC TBIO UN CV SG
SUBJECT: DENGUE FEVER EPIDEMIC ACCELERATES, WITH INCREASING
FATALITIES

REF: PRAIA 208

1. Summary. The Dengue epidemic in Cape Verde has affected
almost five percent of the population of the capital city of
Praia, and five deaths have now occurred. Eighteen more
patients are hospitalized with the hemorrhagic form of the
disease. The number of suspected Dengue cases doubled over the
course of the weekend, with a current estimate of 6,000 people
infected. The disease is present on seven of the nine inhabited
islands of the archipelago. In an effort to help health
officials fight the disease, the Minister of Defense is
dispatching Cape Verde's military nationwide to search for and
eliminate stagnant water that may be serving as breeding grounds
for mosquitoes. End summary

2. The number of suspected Dengue cases doubled
from 3,000 to 6,000 in the three day period between Friday Oct
30 and Monday Nov 2 , primarily in the capital city of Praia
whose population is 125,000. As of the morning of Tuesday,
November 3, five people have died from internal hemorrhaging as
a result of the disease. The latest death was a 34 year old
female official of the Foreign Ministry who was otherwise
healthy. Eighteen additional patients in the hemorrhagic stage
of the disease are under treatment in Praia's primary hospital.
Two of them are in critical condition. The primary treatment
methodology being used is to hydrate and provide nutrients
intravenously, as well as provide transfusions to hemorrhaging
patients. Unfortunately, the local blood bank is already almost
completely depleted, with no/no remaining stocks of any Rh
negative blood.

3. The GoCV's preventive efforts include a
televised campaign about mosquito avoidance, a live report by
the Minister of Health on the November 3 evening news
encouraging people with symptoms to report to local health
centers, and deployment of the CV military to help eliminate
stagnant water breeding grounds. The World Health
Organization has two missions on the ground, one setting up a
testing facility (as reported reftel) and a second group
exploring ways to eliminate the mosquito population. A total of
ten WHO experts is here at this time.

4. Post is in contact with the RMO and through him
with MED to obtain information and advice. One American local
hire staff member is confirmed to have Dengue and several LES
dependents are among the suspected cases. Two of the
Ambassador's three household staff members are also among the
suspected cases. Post's POC on this issue is Consular Chief
Lesley Hayden (238-260-8907). Updates will be provided as
appropriate.

MYLES

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