MSGFO1: APRIL 30 H1N1 FLU UPDATE FOR SLOVENIA

UNCLAS LJUBLJANA 000128 AMEMBASSY VIENNA FOR RMO GREEN SIPDIS E.O.12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR AMGT ASEC CASC KFLU KFLO SI SUBJECT: MSGFO1: APRIL 30 H1N1 FLU UPDATE FOR SLOVENIA SUMMARY ¶1. As of April 30, no cases of the H1N1 virus have been confirmed in Slovenia. Three suspected cases have been examined and the results were negative. The Slovenian government has formed a task force to coordinate Slovenia's response to the crisis, but no specific actions have yet been taken. Slovenia decided not to introduce any precautionary measures at its airport, due to the lack of direct flights between Slovenia and Mexico or the U.S. On April 29, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, issued a travel warning cautioning against travel to Mexico. END SUMMARY. Task force for H1N1 -------------- ¶2. Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor announced April 29 that the Slovenian government will establish a group tasked with drawing up an action plan for Slovenia's response to a swine flu pandemic. The Minister of Health will head the group, which will also include all state secretaries; the government is scheduled to formally establish it on April 30. ¶3. The task force's stated purpose is to keep the public informed about developments on a daily basis. Press conferences will be held every day until the Health Ministry and the Public Health Institute (IVZ) decide that the group is no longer necessary. No Confirmed Slovenian Cases -------------- ¶4. The IVZ reported on April 29 that tests of samples taken from three people suspected of having been infected with swine flu were negative. Two of the people suspected of having swine flu had recently returned from Mexico and one from the US. Their samples were taken and sent to analysis after they visited the doctor because of flu symptoms. ¶5. The IVZ explained that measures against the diseases are currently limited to prevention by informing passengers headed for or coming from destinations with confirmed cases of H1N1 of the measures they should follow. The IVZ stated that Slovenia has approximately 500,000 doses of Tamiflu, which would be enough for roughly twenty-five percent of the population. Travel Warning -------------- ¶6. The Slovenian Foreign Ministry issued a warning on April 29 advising Slovenians not to travel to Mexico, unless absolutely necessary. The Ministry also warned Slovenians who are currently in Mexico to be cautious and follow the instructions of local Mexican authorities. Mission Actions -------------- ¶7. Post's pandemic flu officer has worked in coordination with post's medical officer to prepare information within the embassy about containing the spread of germs - posting the CDC "cover your cough" poster at strategic points within the chancery and annex buildings. Post's supply of Tamiflu was examined, to ensure that it has not yet expired, and post medical officer distributed masks to both the chancery and annex buildings, to ensure adequate coverage for any unforeseen emergency. Post has included a link to CDC information on the home page of its website. FREDEN