LUXEMBOURG: FIRST DEATH FROM SWINE FLU (H1N1)

UNCLAS LUXEMBOURG 000266 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AADP AMED AMGT TBIO KFLU LU SUBJECT: LUXEMBOURG: FIRST DEATH FROM SWINE FLU (H1N1) REPORTED REF: LUXEMBOURG 00248 ¶1. (U) The first recorded death as a result of the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) in Luxembourg occurred September 17. The patient was a 55 year old male who had been hospitalized for a serious but unrelated illness. It has not yet been determined where or when he contracted the virus. Prior to this death all known cases had been successfully treated, some without any specific antiviral intervention. Since Luxembourg's first reported case in June, the total number of confirmed H1N1 cases has risen to 168 as of September 11, the latest date for which statistics are available. ¶2. (SBU) Local health authorities have been expecting an increase in the total number of cases with the end of the holiday travel season. Many Luxembourgers have just returned from Spain and the UK where most previous cases were believed to have originated. The school year began this week as scheduled with a Government of Luxembourg (GOL) media campaign to educate the public concerning prevention and the H1N1 threat. The GOL campaign distributed information through the internet, broadcast and print media, including distribution of printed material to pharmacies, schools, businesses and on modes of public transportation. The government has ordered 700,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine and expects delivery during "autumn." ¶3. (U) If additional information is required, post point of contact is Pol/Econ Counselor Michael Via, e-mail ViaMA@state.gov. BIEDLINGMAIER