Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PRISTINA511
2009-11-19 05:43:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Pristina
Cable title:
KOSOVO: FIRST H1N1 DEATH CONFIRMED
how-toVZCZCXRO2269 PP RUEHIK DE RUEHPS #0511 3230543 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 190543Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY PRISTINA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9487 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 1276 RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1807 RHFMIUU/AFSOUTH NAPLES IT RHMFISS/CDR TF FALCON RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEPGEA/CDR650THMIGP SHAPE BE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHDC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUZEJAA/USNIC PRISTINA SR
UNCLAS PRISTINA 000511
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE, EUR/PGI, MED
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV TBIO KFLU KV
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: FIRST H1N1 DEATH CONFIRMED
REF: PRISTINA 487
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
UNCLAS PRISTINA 000511
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE, EUR/PGI, MED
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV TBIO KFLU KV
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: FIRST H1N1 DEATH CONFIRMED
REF: PRISTINA 487
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
1. (SBU) On November 15 Kosovo authorities reported the first death
attributable to the H1N1 influenza virus -- also known as swine flu.
The patient was a 31-year old man from Gllogovc/Glogovac,
approximately 30 km from Pristina. He was hospitalized in critical
condition on November 12 and treated with Tamiflu for two days prior
to succumbing on November 14 to pneumonia brought on by the virus.
Local health officials report that he was ill for three weeks before
seeking medical attention, and that he was a heavy smoker, which
affected his ability to fight the pneumonia. No other members of
his family are ill, and he had not traveled outside of Kosovo prior
to falling ill.
NEW LAB OPENS, RESULTS COME FASTER
--------------
2. (SBU) Since our report that the first suspected, but unconfirmed,
H1N1 influenza cases had appeared in Kosovo (reftel),Kosovo has
opened a new laboratory capable of testing for the virus. Rather
than relying solely upon facilities outside the country to confirm
cases of H1N1, local health officials now are able to perform H1N1
testing in Kosovo. The new lab, while not up to U.S. standards,
does conduct quality control testing by sending some duplicate
samples abroad for testing and confirmation. Thus far, all local
test results have proved accurate in the comparison testing.
CONFIRMED H1N1 CASES NOW AT 39
--------------
3. (SBU) Whereas Kosovo authorities had previously told us that they
suspected H1N1 was present, but had been unable to confirm it
(reftel),they now tell us that there are 39 confirmed H1N1 cases in
Kosovo. According to media reports, seven new cases of H1N1 were
confirmed in the last week. All 39 Kosovo citizens with the virus
are reported to be in stable condition. Health officials
acknowledge that the sudden rise in confirmed cases is rapid, but
add that the virus' penetration in Kosovo remains below expected
levels. They also point out that local infection rates were
misleadingly low because results from overseas testing had not been
previously available.
COMMENT
--------------
4. (SBU) With improved local testing now available, we expect to see
more rapid testing for the H1N1 virus, and most probably, a steady
rise in the number of confirmed H1N1 cases in Kosovo. Poor
nutrition, little or no health coverage, and the onset of winter
make Kosovo's population vulnerable to illness. Combined with small
stocks of anti-viral medications and lack of vaccine, these factors
may well mean more deaths in the coming months.
DELL
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE, EUR/PGI, MED
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV TBIO KFLU KV
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: FIRST H1N1 DEATH CONFIRMED
REF: PRISTINA 487
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
1. (SBU) On November 15 Kosovo authorities reported the first death
attributable to the H1N1 influenza virus -- also known as swine flu.
The patient was a 31-year old man from Gllogovc/Glogovac,
approximately 30 km from Pristina. He was hospitalized in critical
condition on November 12 and treated with Tamiflu for two days prior
to succumbing on November 14 to pneumonia brought on by the virus.
Local health officials report that he was ill for three weeks before
seeking medical attention, and that he was a heavy smoker, which
affected his ability to fight the pneumonia. No other members of
his family are ill, and he had not traveled outside of Kosovo prior
to falling ill.
NEW LAB OPENS, RESULTS COME FASTER
--------------
2. (SBU) Since our report that the first suspected, but unconfirmed,
H1N1 influenza cases had appeared in Kosovo (reftel),Kosovo has
opened a new laboratory capable of testing for the virus. Rather
than relying solely upon facilities outside the country to confirm
cases of H1N1, local health officials now are able to perform H1N1
testing in Kosovo. The new lab, while not up to U.S. standards,
does conduct quality control testing by sending some duplicate
samples abroad for testing and confirmation. Thus far, all local
test results have proved accurate in the comparison testing.
CONFIRMED H1N1 CASES NOW AT 39
--------------
3. (SBU) Whereas Kosovo authorities had previously told us that they
suspected H1N1 was present, but had been unable to confirm it
(reftel),they now tell us that there are 39 confirmed H1N1 cases in
Kosovo. According to media reports, seven new cases of H1N1 were
confirmed in the last week. All 39 Kosovo citizens with the virus
are reported to be in stable condition. Health officials
acknowledge that the sudden rise in confirmed cases is rapid, but
add that the virus' penetration in Kosovo remains below expected
levels. They also point out that local infection rates were
misleadingly low because results from overseas testing had not been
previously available.
COMMENT
--------------
4. (SBU) With improved local testing now available, we expect to see
more rapid testing for the H1N1 virus, and most probably, a steady
rise in the number of confirmed H1N1 cases in Kosovo. Poor
nutrition, little or no health coverage, and the onset of winter
make Kosovo's population vulnerable to illness. Combined with small
stocks of anti-viral medications and lack of vaccine, these factors
may well mean more deaths in the coming months.
DELL