H1N1 UPDATE: NORWAY PREPRES FOR WAVE OF PANDEMIC

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TAGS: TBIO KFLU ECON PREL SOCI ASC EAGR NO
SUBJECT: H1N1 UPDATE: NORWAY PREPRES FOR WAVE OF PANDEMIC
FLU CASES


1. (U) Sumary: H1N1 cases in Norway have increased to 342confirmed cases as of the end of July, and the infction rate
appears to be accelerating, driven largely by the return of
Norwegians from summer holidays abroad. Norwegian health
officials recently announced plans to deal with the pandemic,
such as preparing the Ministry of Defense's Medical Corps and
other health sector employees to assist if health care
providers are overwhelmed, distributing posters to schools
and universities on proper hand-washing and coughing
etiquette, and fast-tracking the vaccine approval process in
accordance with the European Medical Agency protocol.
Contingency plans have even been prepared in case large
numbers of election workers or voters are incapacitated
during Norway's upcoming general elections on September 14.
As of July 28, district-level health officials are required
to notify the Norwegian Public Health Institute (FHI) when
planning public gatherings such as festivals, concerts, and
sporting events. H1N1 infections at an H4 youth conference
over the past weekend led to the Norwegian authorities to
cancel the event; however, Norway's Cup, the world's largest
youth soccer competition, continues, with only one H1N1
diagnosis to date. End Summary.


H1N1 Cases in Norway now up to 342
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2. (U) H1N1 cases in Norway surged to 294 confirmed cases in
mid-July and 342 by the end of July; health officials note
the rate of infections appears to be accelerating rapidly.
According to the Norwegian Surveillance System for
Communicable Diseases (www.msis.no),the number of infections
doubled since last week, and doubled again within the past
few days, with 68% of infections occurring in people younger
than 30 years old. Norwegian government authorities said
July 27 that H1N1 is now moving "freely" in Norway, i.e.
Norwegians can become infected without traveling abroad and
without exposure to someone confirmed
to be an H1N1 carrier. An Oslo Casualty Clinic employee said
July 15 that the clinic had been filled to capacity, as even
those with mild symptoms were coming in to be tested. FHI is
now encouraging people to stay at home instead of coming in
to clinics, if they have no serious complications, and to
contact their general practitioners if they have flu-like
symptoms.


3. (U) In a July 24 news conference, Norway's Minister of
Health and Care Services Bjarne Haakon Hanssen said the
number of confirmed cases does not reflect actual numbers of
infected individuals in Norway, as many who fall ill are not
being tested. Hanssen said that three hospitalized,
critically ill H1N1 patients are of the greatest concern,
with only one starting to show signs of recovery. At the
same July 24 press conference, Norwegian Health Director
Bjorn Inge Larsen said a large wave of new cases could occur
this Fall. He warned that although Norwegian health
authorities were making preparations, many Norwegians would
become seriously ill and some deaths were to be expected. He
said the situation in the UK serves as a bellwether for
Norway, and will help guide Norwegian officials as they
determine, for example, if they need to purchase additional
respirators or other supplies.

Preparations Underway...
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4. (U) Hanssen announced that the Ministry of Defense's
Medical Corps has been asked to review its capability to
assist if regular health workers are overwhelmed by demand,
adding that medical students and health sector employees
could be mobilized if necessary when the pandemic hits
hardest. He also said the Norwegian government would
distribute 80,000 posters to schools and universities on
hand-washing and coughing etiquette before the third week of
August, when schools go back into session.


5. (U) Norway has ordered 9.4 million does of anti-flu
(H1N1) vaccine from GlaxoSmithKline, which the government
says should be sufficient to cover Norway's entire population
of 4.5 million people (two doses are required per person.)
Larsen said that Norway will follow the European Medicines
Agency protocol to fast-track the review of data from vaccine
manufacturers, so that vaccinations can start as early as

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September. He noted that initially, only vulnerable
population members -- such as pregnant women, people with
underlying conditions, and health care workers -- would be
vaccinated. Norway has set up a website, www.pandemi.no, and
a hotline number, 47 800 87 150, to be activated August 3.


6. (U) The Confederation of Norwegian Businesses and
Industry spokeswoman Bjarne Soerhus told businesses July 20
to expect high levels of sick leave this fall, and urged them
to develop contingency plans. Information Director for
Norway's largest oil company, StatoilHydro, Ola Morten
Aanestad, commented July 20 that since the diagnosis of a
London-based employee, the company was very concerned with
preventing infection at other work sites, including off-shore
oil and gas installations.

Flu's Impact on Current and Upcoming Events
--------------


7. (U) FHI announced July 28 that district-level health
officials must contact FHI "in good time" before festivals,
concerts, sporting events and other large gatherings are
scheduled, to ensure event organizers are prepared for a
potential outbreak. FHI has also expressed concern that
Norway's general election on September 14 may be affected if
key election workers fall ill. In response, Local
Government and Regional Development Minister Magnhild
Meltvedt Kleppa has instructed local authorities to prepare
contingency plans. These could include having back-up teams
and setting up voting booths in hospitals, if necessary.
Other events under the spotlight include the ongoing July 26
- August 1 Norway Cup, the largest international youth soccer
competition in the world, with about 30,000 participants
from 53 countries. A Kenyan player was diagnosed with H1N1
July 27, and four others are under observation; however, it
is unlikely the event will be canceled. Norwegian
authorities did, however, cancel on July 27 an international
4H youth camp, as several participants fell ill with H1N1
infections.


8. (U) Post will continue to monitor the rate of new
infections. Meanwhile, the Embassy continues to engage with
Norwegian health authorities to ensure Embassy American and
local staff are included in the government's planned
distribution of H1N1 vaccines once those become available.
HEG