SLOVAKS PURSUING AVIAN INFLUENZA AND PANDEMIC

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000865

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO EAGR SOCI KSCA LO WHO FAO OIE
SUBJECT: SLOVAKS PURSUING AVIAN INFLUENZA AND PANDEMIC
PROTECTION

Sensitive But Unclassified - handle accordingly


1. (SBU) Summary. Officials from the GOS appear to be
making good progress on contingency plannnig for an outbreak
of avian influenza (AI) as well as the possibility of a
human-to-human pandemic disease. Ministry of Health State
Secretary Alexandra Novotna (also Deputy Health Minister and

SIPDIS
a medical doctor) explained to DCM, Econoff, and Post Medical
Officer that Slovakia has updated its "framework" national
action plan, which should be discussed and approved by the
Slovak cabinet on October 26. The Ministry also has a
specific plan that details exactly what should be done in
terms of protecting bird populations and promoting awareness
among those working with birds, who should do it, and how it
should be accomplished. Novotna also stressed that the plan
includes elements of public education, simulation exercises
and that it is highly adaptable to changing circumstances.
End Summary.

AVIAN INFLUENZA
--------------


2. (SBU) The GOS is working with its 2,000 poultry workers,
veterinary staffs, and medical providers to ensure that they
are aware of the risks and procedures that will mitigate the
danger. Poultry workers have been encouraged to get a
seasonal influenza injection and a leaflet has been drafted
explaining the difference between normal and avian influenza.
Though Novotna did not specify the size of Slovakia's
Tamiflu inventories, she did claim that it had enough to
treat at risk workers should the need arise. The State
Veterinary and Food Administration has also implemented
specific new rules that prohibit live birds in markets,
competitions, and veterinary organizations as well as carrier
pigeon competitions (inside Slovakia and Slovak participation
internationally) and the hunting of wild birds.

PANDEMIC POTENTIAL
--------------


3. (SBU) According to Novotna, the GOS is concentrating its
efforts on preparations for a human pandemic disease. The
ministry is arranging crisis management exercises that will
simulate an outbreak in the human population. Kramare
hospital in Bratislava has a section dedicated to isolating
highly contagious individuals. There is also a lab in Zvolen
(central Slovakia) that can quickly isolate sub-types of AI
as they develop (all samples would also be sent to the EU
coordinating lab in the UK). The ministry is preparing an
assessment of its medical protective gear and proposing
financing to cover any deficiencies. Finally, the GOS has
contracts with pharmaceutical companies which require them to
provide vaccinations and anti-virals that are created once a
sub-type is identified. (Comment: it is still not certain
how much of any new drug Slovakia would actually receive or
what priority the country has with pharmaceutical companies
as opposed to others with similar contracts. End Comment.)

PUBLIC EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION
--------------


4. (SBU) The ministry is moving cautiously with its public
announcements. It has prepared booklets which explain the
risks of AI and the threat to humans but it is concerned that
releasing the information may cause undue alarm even though
the human risk is low. When the Minister of Health recently
announced on television that prevention begins with frequent
handwashing and general good nutrition, it resulted in
reports of hoarding seasonal influenza vaccinations (though
pharmacies have reported to Novotna that their supplies are
still adequate). The ministry will, nevertheless release a
leaflet to veterinarians that explains what to look for and
to whom to report any suspicious occurrences. The GOS is
also in contact with its Embassies in the region and in
particular with locations with confirmed cases of AI.
Communication among EU nations has also been good, according
to Novotna, especially in the sharing of other member state's
best practices.


5. (SBU) Comment. Emboffs emphasized the importance of
transparency and communication to ensure that occurrences
were properly tracked and dealt with, both locally and
globally. This seemed particularly important after the
Ministries of Agriculture and State Veterinary and Food
Administration directed us to the Ministry of Health for
comment and Novotna began the discussion by asking whether we
checked with the aforementioned organizations. Nevertheless,
Novotna was very knowledgeable and spoke openly about the
realities of Slovakia's readiness for AI.

VALLEE


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