GREECE: READY FOR AVIAN INFLUENZA IF IT HAPPENS

UNCLAS ATHENS 001729 C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - CAPTION ADDED SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR AIAG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO EAGR EAID PREL KFLU GR SUBJECT: GREECE: READY FOR AVIAN INFLUENZA IF IT HAPPENS ¶1. (SBU) Head of the National Health Operations Center (EKEPY) Dr. Panayiotis Efstathiou told EconOff that Greece was prepared for an Avian Influenza (AI) outbreak if it should happen. Efstathiou said that he attended the October conference on AI in Sharm el-Sheikh. He said that they discussed AI cooperation and the use of Tamiflu, an anti-viral medicine. Efstathiou stressed that Greece was one of the first member-states in the EU to organize an AI plan according to the World Health Organization framework. Under the plan, the Operational Center has conducted regular exercises and is responsible for any national health emergency. ¶2. (SBU) Efstathiou noted that the plan incorporated all public and military hospitals. Private hospitals are responsible for reporting to him that they have all the necessary equipment and preparations in place in the event of an outbreak. He said he had regular contact with his counterparts in neighboring countries in the Balkans and visited Turkey regularly. Efstathiou said that he would welcome the opportunity for an exchange visit with FEMA. He ended the meeting by saying, "Overall, I believe Greece has one of the best teams and a high level of preparedness, but no one really knows what will happen." Greece last reported a confirmed outbreak of AI in migratory birds in 2006 and has had no human cases. SPECKHARD