SLOVAK AVIAN INFLUENZA FRAMEWORK PLAN

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000873 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO EAGR SOCI KSCA LO WHO FAO OIE SUBJECT: SLOVAK AVIAN INFLUENZA FRAMEWORK PLAN REF: BRATISLAVA 865 ¶1. On October 26, the GOS approved and publicly released its framework plan to combat the threat of avian influenza (AI) and the possibility of a pandemic virus. The new plan replaced a previous version established in August of 2001. The framework established a Commission, headed by Minister of Health Rudolf Zajac, to coordinate all government actions. Other members of the Commission include the Ministers of Interior, Defense, Transportation, Agriculture, Finance, Education, and other bureaucrats and scientific experts. ¶2. According to the release, the Commission has been tasked to draft a specific action plan within 15 days that prepares for multiple contingencies (this is really just a formality, because this plan already exists, see reftel). Other responsibilities of the Commission include taking inventories of vaccines, anti-virals, and protective gear (and financing any deficiencies),negotiating for additional drug supplies, addressing any VAT concerns with acquisitions related to AI, verifying the numbers of at-risk workers, and vaccinating them (for seasonal influenza). Critical ministries (such as Interior, Defense, and Transportation) were also asked to generate specific plans to ensure that they could function in the event of a pandemic outbreak. Finally, the Ministry of Agriculture was assigned to enact measures to protect animals and the Ministry of Education was charged with preparing a strategy to protect public schools. VALLEE NNNN