Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ATHENS1729
2008-12-31 07:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
GREECE: READY FOR AVIAN INFLUENZA IF IT HAPPENS
how-toVZCZCXRO7791 OO RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHTH #1729 3660751 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 310751Z DEC 08 ZDS FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2985 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
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
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
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