SLOVAKIA CONFIRMS PRESENCE OF AVIAN FLU

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000139 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU EAGR TBIO FAO WHO ECON LO SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA CONFIRMS PRESENCE OF AVIAN FLU REF: BRATISLAVA 130 ¶1. Agriculture Minister Zsolt Simon confirmed the first two cases of H5N1 avian influenza (AI) in Slovakia on February ¶21. A falcon found near the Danube River 37 miles southeast of Bratislava and a grebe discovered on the outskirts of the capital both tested positive for AI. The samples have now been sent to the EU reference laboratory in the UK. Simon ordered a quarantine area of about 2 miles around the discovery sites and has now ordered all poultry farmers countrywide to keep their birds inside. ¶2. Post will convene an Emergency Action Committee meeting to update personnel and review our contingency procedures. We will remain in close contact with GOS authorities on planning for any subsequent measures. Post notes that it has already purchased a supply of Tamiflu. VALLEE