The 2009 flu pandemic in South America was part of a global epidemic in 2009 of a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1, causing what has been commonly called swine flu. As of 9 June 2009, the virus had affected at least 2,000 people in South America, with at least 4 confirmed deaths. On 3 May 2009, the first case of the flu in South America was confirmed in a Colombian man who recently travelled from Mexico – since then, it has spread throughout the continent. By far, the most affected country has been Chile, with more than 12,000 confirmed cases, 104 deaths, and the highest per capita incidence in the world.
The World Health Organization warned about the arrival of the winter in the southern hemisphere, where there are seasonal peaks of flu, that could increase the number of infections.
Overview
Affected countries
Argentina
According to an Epidemic Alert order issued by the Ministry of Health, Airlines have been required to report passengers with influenza symptoms arriving from Mexico and United States. Passengers from these countries must fill out a form to be located should they experience any symptoms. In addition, the government has also stepped up safety checks, and thermal scanners are being used on airports to detect passengers with fever and other influenza symptoms. As of 28 April, the Government has suspended all flights originated from Mexico until 15 May as a precautionary measure.
On 7 May, Health Authorities confirmed the first case, a tourist that had recently returned from Mexico. 55 other suspected cases continue to be studied under isolation.
On 15 June, there were 89 new confirmed cases, increasing the number of cases to 733. First confirmed death.
A case of human-to-swine transmission was discovered in Buenos Aires province, on 25 June. The hog farm where it occurred has been interdicted.
On 2 July, the newly appointed Minister of Health Juan Luis Manzur estimated the number of affected people to be as many as 100,000, as well as 52 confirmed deaths.
As of 14 July, the number of officially recognised cases has skyrocketed, with 137 deaths.
Bolivia
As of 15 September, according to Agencia Boliviana de Información the number of cases is over 1,600 . The department with most cases is Santa Cruz with more than 900 cases. Owing to the increasing number of cases Bolivian authorities have given students two additional weeks of vacations, and are canceling concerts and other big events. Viru Viru International Airport (Santa Cruz) authorities are checking every international and national passenger arriving. The Daddy Yankee concert is already suspended and now expected for August. The only department with no cases is Pando, and it is the least populated department. Two deaths were confirmed on 10 July, One of a six-year-old girl and one of a 50-year-old man, both from Santa Cruz. Most museums, cinemas and theaters are closed in Santa Cruz. Most restaurants are open and the biggest cinema in Bolivia, Cine Center, is open. The third death has been confirmed on 16 July. It was the first confirmed death in the department of La Paz. Pando, the only department in Bolivia, previously without the flu, has now some suspected cases. As at 21 July Bolivia has five confirmed deaths. The number of cases and deaths are increasing every day. Recently deaths have been confirmed in Tarija and Potosi making the numbers of deaths rise to nine. Confirmed deaths in El Alto and Cochabamba raised the numbers of deaths to 13. Some private and public schools have closed in Santa Cruz after finding students infected with the flu. The actual number of deaths is now 35.
Brazil
Two people who had arrived in Brazil from Mexico with symptoms of an undefined illness were hospitalized in São Paulo on 25 April. It was initially suspected that they had the swine flu virus. The Brazilian Ministry of Health later issued a press release stating that while the exact cause of the two patients illnesses remained unknown, they "did not meet the definition of suspected cases of swine influenza because they did not have signs and symptoms consistent with the disease: fever over 39 °C, accompanied by coughing and/or a headache, muscle and joint pain."
The press release also stated that airports would monitor travelers arriving from affected areas, under the direction of the National Sanitary Surveillance Agency (ANVISA). Air crews were trained on signs and symptoms of swine influenza so that passengers displaying symptoms would receive guidance from ANVISA upon arrival.