Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09HELSINKI160
2009-04-30 12:02:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Helsinki
Cable title:  

MSGF01: THREE FINNS TESTED FOR SWINE FLU; TAMIFLU AND

Tags:  KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR 
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VZCZCXRO3193
OO RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA
RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHHE #0160 1201202
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 301202Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4943
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS HELSINKI 000160 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR
AMGT, MG, FI
SUBJECT: MSGF01: THREE FINNS TESTED FOR SWINE FLU; TAMIFLU AND
MASKS FLYING OFF PHARMACY SHELVES

Ref: State 42349

UNCLAS HELSINKI 000160

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR
AMGT, MG, FI
SUBJECT: MSGF01: THREE FINNS TESTED FOR SWINE FLU; TAMIFLU AND
MASKS FLYING OFF PHARMACY SHELVES

Ref: State 42349


1. (U) Three Finnish citizens who recently returned from travelling
in Mexico have been tested for possible swine flu. One test has
come back negative; the other two test results should be known
within a week. The case garnering intense media attention involves
an elderly woman who returned to Lahti (100 kms north of Helsinki)
two weeks ago after living in Mexico for nine months. According to
local press reports, she exhibited flu-like symptoms for one week
before finally seeking medical assistance at a local hospital. She
was immediately placed in isolation, her condition is mild and
stable, she's taking antiviral drugs, and she is in no danger.


2. (U) The Finnish Government announced April 28 that it will
acquire more antiviral drugs and protective clothing for medical
personnel. More than 880,000 doses of the antiviral Relenza are to
be stockpiled, as well as an additional 90,000 more doses of
Tamiflu, in addition to the more than 90,000 that have already been
stockpiled. Finland has also decided to acquire a vaccine against
swine flu as soon as one becomes available even though no such
vaccine yet exists. Finnish travelers have been urged to defer
travel to Mexico for the time being. Local newspapers have also
reported that Finns - alarmed about the swine flu - are buying up
stocks of Tamiflu and protective masks, even the ineffective
surgical masks and hand wash. Many pharmacies in the Helsinki
region are running out of masks and customers are being referred to
hardware stores for more effective masks.


3. (SBU) Embassy Helsinki's EAC met on April 29 to discuss and
review the Post's Emergency Action Plan, pandemic influenza
tripwires, and Mission preparedness. EAC determined that tripwires
had not been triggered and that it would recommend in any case that
Americans (including Embassy staff) seek care in Finland rather than
depart for the United States.

Butler