Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BRATISLAVA513
2009-12-11 14:54:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bratislava
Cable title:
SLOVAKIA H1N1 UPDATE: BORDERS WITH UKRAINE REOPENED
how-toVZCZCXRO3777 PP RUEHIK DE RUEHSL #0513 3451454 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P R 111454Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0302 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEHSL/AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA 0353
UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000513
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CE J. MOORE
STATE FOR OES/IHB
STATE FOR CA/OCS R. DOWELL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SOCI KFLU CASC LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA H1N1 UPDATE: BORDERS WITH UKRAINE REOPENED
REF: A. BRATISLAVA 494
¶B. BRATISLAVA 475
¶C. BRATISLAVA 471
(U) Judging the worst of the H1N1 outbreak in UKRAINE to have
passed, Slovakia today reopened all the border crossings it
closed in early November. Although cases continue to
rise--according to the latest figures, 722 people in Slovakia
have been officially diagnosed with H1N1, of which 12 have
died--the public remains relatively unconcerned. Attention has
focused instead in recent days on rumors of corruption
surrounding the Slovak government's somewhat mysterious purchase
of flu vaccine from Sanofi-Pasteur. The Health Ministry
continues to assert that the first doses, earmarked for health
care providers and vulnerable populations, will arrive before
the end of the year. Even if this is the case, media reports
suggest that many people--including health professionals--will
refuse to be vaccinated.
EDDINS