Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BRATISLAVA475
2009-11-10 14:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bratislava
Cable title:
SLOVAKIA H1N1 UPDATE: 29 NEW CASES IN PAST WEEK, 1 DEATH
how-toVZCZCXRO4571 PP RUEHIK DE RUEHSL #0475 3141456 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P R 101456Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0255 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEHSL/AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA 0296
UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000475
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CE J. MOORE
STATE FOR OES/IHB
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SOCI KFLU WHO CASC LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA H1N1 UPDATE: 29 NEW CASES IN PAST WEEK, 1 DEATH
REF: BRATISLAVA 471
UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000475
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CE J. MOORE
STATE FOR OES/IHB
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SOCI KFLU WHO CASC LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA H1N1 UPDATE: 29 NEW CASES IN PAST WEEK, 1 DEATH
REF: BRATISLAVA 471
1. (U) The Slovak Health Ministry released its latest figures on
November 9, showing 29 new cases of H1N1 flu diagnosed in the
previous week, bringing the total number of cases in Slovakia to
200 since the spring. A 48 year-old woman became the first
person with a confirmed H1N1 infection to die in Slovakia,
although the Health Ministry was quick to add that her death was
caused by heart failure. Most of the new cases were
concentrated in Bratislava, on the opposite side of the country
from the border with Ukraine, which is currently experiencing a
serious outbreak. The Slovak government has now closed all but
one of its road border crossings with Ukraine, although both
rail crossings remain open. Medical personnel have been
stationed at each of the border checkpoints to examine those
seeking to enter the country, and they have been authorized to
deny admission to anyone with flu symptoms.
2. (SBU) As reported reftel, the Slovak government has been
playing down the danger posed by the potential of a wider H1N1
outbreak. Health Minister Richard Rasi has repeatedly asserted
that the government is well-prepared for any eventuality,
stressing the availability of face masks and hospital beds. It
is notable, however, that Rasi has given the media only
vague--and possibly misleading--information about the
availability of H1N1 vaccines. He has told reporters only that
the flu vaccines will be purchased and delivered to Slovakia
"soon," adding that there is plenty of time to inoculate the
population before the H1N1 outbreak will peak in late January.
WHO Country Director Darina Sedlakova (protect) told us last
Friday that the contract will be signed at the end of November
and vaccines likely will not be delivered until late January.
She added that she expects the H1N1 outbreak to peak well before
that time, which is typically the peak of seasonal flu. One
newspaper reported on the basis of Rasi's remarks that the
vaccine will be delivered by early December; we have not yet
seen any effort by the Health Ministry to correct this report.
In the meantime, some Slovaks are reportedly traveling across
the border to Hungary to purchase H1N1 vaccines.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: Although Rasi's evasive answers to questions
about vaccine availability are troubling, we have no reason to
believe that the Health Ministry is otherwise releasing
inaccurate information. Sedlakova told us that she has
confidence in the government's flu statistics, which still show
a fairly low rate of infection.
EDDINS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CE J. MOORE
STATE FOR OES/IHB
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SOCI KFLU WHO CASC LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA H1N1 UPDATE: 29 NEW CASES IN PAST WEEK, 1 DEATH
REF: BRATISLAVA 471
1. (U) The Slovak Health Ministry released its latest figures on
November 9, showing 29 new cases of H1N1 flu diagnosed in the
previous week, bringing the total number of cases in Slovakia to
200 since the spring. A 48 year-old woman became the first
person with a confirmed H1N1 infection to die in Slovakia,
although the Health Ministry was quick to add that her death was
caused by heart failure. Most of the new cases were
concentrated in Bratislava, on the opposite side of the country
from the border with Ukraine, which is currently experiencing a
serious outbreak. The Slovak government has now closed all but
one of its road border crossings with Ukraine, although both
rail crossings remain open. Medical personnel have been
stationed at each of the border checkpoints to examine those
seeking to enter the country, and they have been authorized to
deny admission to anyone with flu symptoms.
2. (SBU) As reported reftel, the Slovak government has been
playing down the danger posed by the potential of a wider H1N1
outbreak. Health Minister Richard Rasi has repeatedly asserted
that the government is well-prepared for any eventuality,
stressing the availability of face masks and hospital beds. It
is notable, however, that Rasi has given the media only
vague--and possibly misleading--information about the
availability of H1N1 vaccines. He has told reporters only that
the flu vaccines will be purchased and delivered to Slovakia
"soon," adding that there is plenty of time to inoculate the
population before the H1N1 outbreak will peak in late January.
WHO Country Director Darina Sedlakova (protect) told us last
Friday that the contract will be signed at the end of November
and vaccines likely will not be delivered until late January.
She added that she expects the H1N1 outbreak to peak well before
that time, which is typically the peak of seasonal flu. One
newspaper reported on the basis of Rasi's remarks that the
vaccine will be delivered by early December; we have not yet
seen any effort by the Health Ministry to correct this report.
In the meantime, some Slovaks are reportedly traveling across
the border to Hungary to purchase H1N1 vaccines.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: Although Rasi's evasive answers to questions
about vaccine availability are troubling, we have no reason to
believe that the Health Ministry is otherwise releasing
inaccurate information. Sedlakova told us that she has
confidence in the government's flu statistics, which still show
a fairly low rate of infection.
EDDINS