SLOVAK OFFICIALS PLAY DOWN H1N1 THREAT BUT CLOSE BORDER

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000471

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU WHO LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAK OFFICIALS PLAY DOWN H1N1 THREAT BUT CLOSE BORDER
CROSSINGS WITH UKRAINE

REF: KYIV 1915


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Slovak officials have been playing down the
threat of an H1N1 outbreak even as they close border crossings
to Ukraine, where the situation has reportedly worsened in
recent days. Confirmed H1N1 infections are still few--there
were three additional cases reported this week in
Bratislava--but our sources believe this number to be
significantly underreported as many people are never tested.
The Slovak government plans to sign a contract by the end of the
month to purchase 1 million doses of H1N1 vaccine, but delivery
will likely not take place before the end of January. Two small
border crossings have been closed, and health monitors are
posted at the crossings that remain open. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) Slovak officials, including Minister of Health Richard
Rasi, have repeatedly appeared in the media over the last few
days to downplay public concern about H1N1. Rasi stated that
there is "no reason for panic" in response to the flu outbreak
in Ukraine (reftel) and proclaimed that the government is
well-prepared for an eventual increase in cases, as it has
stockpiled 27 million face masks. WHO Country Director Darina
Sedlakova (protect) told us that while the current situation in
Slovakia is stable, she is greatly concerned about the
government's approach, which she characterized as being too
casual. Sedlakova told us that GOS has shown no urgency in
procuring H1N1 vaccines, instead drawing out its negotiations
with pharmaceutical companies for three months, making it very
likely that the vaccines will not arrive until long after
infections have peaked. On the other hand, we have been told by
health ministry officials that the Slovak government has
provided some doctors to Ukraine, as well as a large number of
face masks.


3. (U) Miroslava Vozaryova, Director of the International
Treaties Department at the Ministry of Interior, told us that in
response to the H1N1 outbreak in Ukraine, Slovakia has closed
two of the five border crossings with its eastern neighbor. The
ministry has dispatched doctors and specialized equipment to the
remaining three crossings in order to identify and possibly
refuse admittance to anyone with an elevated body temperature
and H1N1 symptoms. Minister of Interior Robert Kalinak warned
the public today that he is considering closing all but one
border crossing, which would then be closely monitored by health
officials.

EDDINS