CYPRUS: FIGHTING TUBERCULOSIS IN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA

UNCLAS NICOSIA 000098 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO WHO CY SUBJECT: CYPRUS: FIGHTING TUBERCULOSIS IN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA REF: STATE 6989 (U) This cable is sensitive but unclassified. Please treat accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) In response to Reftel request regarding the status of Cyprus's implementation of the Berlin Declaration on Tuberculosis (TB): Dr. Andreas Polynikis, Chief Health Officer, Ministry of Health, who attended the WHO meeting in Berlin on October 22, 2007, informed us that his office was in the process of drafting an action plan to fight TB and that the GOC remains committed to supporting the Berlin Declaration. ¶2. (SBU) Due to its location on the southeastern fringes of Europe, Cyprus serves as a transit place for many workers and immigrants coming from the Middle East or North Africa. As a result, Polynikis explained, Cyprus has no choice but to remain vigilant about TB, even though the frequency of the disease in Cyprus is quite low. He added the GOC was trying to encourage temporary workers and other high-risk groups to submit to voluntary TB testing, since they are not obliged to take the test for entry into the EU. Another practical problem, he noted, was convincing subjects found to be TB-positive to follow the full treatment. The treatment takes three months to complete, leading many patients to abandon it half-way, and resulting in stronger and more resistant viruses. ¶3. (SBU) Currently, the Ministry of Health is in the process of relocating to a new building. Once the move is complete, Dr. Polynikis will be in a position to provide us with additional information, which we will forward promptly. SCHLICHER