US embassy cable - 04KATHMANDU1215

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 001215 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SA/INS, PRM 
 
E.O.12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREF, SOCI, NP, Bhutanese Refugees 
SUBJECT: NEPAL: BHUTANESE REFUGEE CAMPS FACE VIRAL INFLUENZA 
 
1.  As has happened in past years during the early to mid- 
monsoon period in Nepal, the Bhutanese refugee camps are 
facing widespread cases of viral influenza.  According to 
UNHCR, the western refugee camps (Beldangi 1-3 and 
Sanischare) are suffering the peak of the disease, whereas 
the numbers of cases in Timai (northwest-most camp) are 
declining, and Kundunabari and Goldhap appear unaffected. 
(NOTE: This strain of viral influenza lasts from seven to 10 
days, and manifests as a fever and chest cold.  END NOTE.) 
 
2.   UNHCR, based on reports from its medical implementing 
partner AMDA (Association of Medical Doctors of Asia- Nepal) 
and UNHCR staff in the camps, indicated that, contrary to 
media reports (which reported 10 influenza-related deaths), 
only two recent illness-related deaths have occurred in the 
camps, and neither appears to be influenza-related. 
Instead, one appears to have been caused by a chest 
infection of unknown type, and the other a similar chest 
infection compounded by tuberculosis.  In the latter case, 
the patient died while undergoing treatment at an AMDA 
hospital. 
 
3. UNHCR reports no shortage of medicine in the camps. 
Moreover, on or about July 1, AMDA plans to bring a team of 
medical researchers to the camps to investigate and type the 
influenza strain. 
 
4.  COMMENT:  Change in climate brought about by monsoon 
rains typically signals the advent of various diseases such 
as influenza, cholera, cyclospora and dysentery in Nepal. 
Thus, it is not surprising that the refugee camps, facing 
similar changes in temperature and humidity, with the 
additional difficulty of high-density hut-living, would 
experience at least the same incidence of disease as the 
rest of the country.  It appears, however, that UNHCR and 
its medical implementing partner have the situation under 
control. END COMMENT.