LUXEMBOURG - GOVERNMENT UPDATE ON H1N1

UNCLAS LUXEMBOURG 000213 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR AMED AMGT TBIO LU KFLU SUBJECT: LUXEMBOURG - GOVERNMENT UPDATE ON H1N1 ¶1. (SBU) The Government of Luxembourg (GOL) announced 26 new cases of H1N1 in Luxembourg during the first week of August. This brings the total incidents of the virus in the nation to 87 since the first reported case on June 1, 2009. Health Minister Mars Di Bartolomeo declared on August 10 that Luxembourg was prepared to handle any significant increase in the number of H1N1 cases, that additional vaccines were in the process of development and could be delivered by autumn. All known cases have been successfully treated, some without any specific antiviral intervention. The GOL has announced that Tamiflu, a standard treatment option for H1N1, would be offered to infected patients upon request of the patient's physician and would, as an exception to policy, be reimbursed by the GOL social welfare system. ¶2. (SBU) Since the first reported case in June, Luxembourg has seen a steady, but not alarming, spread of the virus. Only nine cases of H1N1 were recorded through July 7, while 25 new cases were reported during the last week of July and 26 more during the first week of August. Most of those infected had recently returned from Spain, the United Kingdom, or France. August is the heaviest vacation-travel season for Luxembourgers and an increase in the infection rate is anticipated. The GOL has maintained close contact with the WHO and the European Health Office to monitor the situation. ¶3. (U) If additional information is required, post point of contact is POL Counselor Michael Via, e-mail: ViaMA@state.gov. BIEDLINGMAIER