The project will contribute with Argentina's effort to monitor, prevent, and control the A/H1N1 influenza pandemic, as well as other preventable diseases. In 2009, Argentina was hit hard by H1N1 influenza with more than 600 fatalities from 21 provinces and more than 1.2 million cases of influenza-like illness of which some 12,000 needed hospitalizations.

“By enhancing its epidemiological monitoring capabilities, the Argentinean health system will be better prepared to prevent a potential outbreak of influenza in 2010” said Pedro Alba, World Bank Country Director for Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.

The Project would strengthen the capacity of Argentina's epidemiological health surveillance system: (a) to prevent, monitor and evaluate influenza activity and (b) to control epidemic waves of A/H1N1 influenza. It will do so by:

(i) Expanding and improving the quality of the epidemiological surveillance systems,

(ii) Increasing coordination with the animal health epidemiological surveillance system,

(iii) Implementing media campaigns for prevention,

(iv) Vaccinating 8.5 million people,

(v) Improving access to ambulatory antiviral treatment for symptomatic patients,

(vi) Improving the response capacity of hospital-based services,

(vii) Using laboratory tests for epidemiological purposes, and

(viii) Conducting specific operational research activities related to the pandemic, to establish the trend and the evolution of the disease.

To prepare for the 2010 virus season, Argentina's National Immunization Commission (CONAIN) has recommended that a strategic stockpile of 8.5 million H1N1 vaccines be built as soon as possible. The World Bank is financing the purchase of these vaccines and other key activities under the government's strategy.

In 2009, the Bank collaborated immediately with Argentina during the first A/H1N1 outbreak through the rapid processing of approximately US$7.5 million from the emergency component of the Essential Public Health Functions Project, which was specifically designed to address emergencies and epidemic outbreaks.

The economic impact due to the H1N1 outbreak last year was significant due to local social distancing measures such as school closures and work furloughs. In mid-July 2009, many districts in Argentina declared health emergencies, prompting many people to stay at home, with restaurants, clubs, and theater attendance falling sharply. The National Ministry of Health reports that retail sales were down 16% compared to the same period in the previous year.

The Emergency Project for the Prevention and Management of Influenza Type Illness and Strengthening of Argentina's Epidemiological System would be financed by a US$229 million fixed-spread emergency Loan with 30 years maturity and a grace period of 5 years.