ICELAND'S PLANS TO COMBAT H1N1 VIRUS THIS WINTER

UNCLAS REYKJAVIK 000170

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TAGS: KFLU AMED PREL TBIO IC
SUBJECT: ICELAND'S PLANS TO COMBAT H1N1 VIRUS THIS WINTER

REF: REYKJAVIK 97


1. (U) Summary: The strain of the H1N1 influenza virus present in
Iceland has been milder than that experienced in other countries,
and only one person has been hospitalized with the illness earlier
this year. Occurrences of H1N1 in Iceland have been on the decline
recently. However, Iceland's Chief Epidemiologist predicts the
influenza virus will hit hard in December or January, Iceland's peak
flu season months. Iceland will administer vaccinations to three
target groups beginning in October, once vaccine supplies arrive in
country. End summary.


2. (U) The first case of H1N1 in Iceland, an individual who had
recently returned from New York, was announced on May 26. According
to the Directorate of Health, as of September 25, 199 cases of the
H1N1 virus were confirmed in Iceland, 107 males and 92 females.
However, the Health Directorate, in June, began diagnosing many
cases based solely upon symptoms exhibited rather than upon medical
tests. As a result 1,264 cases of H1N1-like illness were diagnosed
but not confirmed between June 29 and September 1. Only one person
was hospitalized for a short period of time and there have been no
deaths as a result of the virus. Haraldur Briem, Iceland's Chief
Epidemiologist told EmbOff there are currently no cases of serious
illness due to the H1N1 virus in Iceland at this time.


3. (U) Briem told EmbOff that he expects the H1N1 vaccine to arrive
in Iceland in the beginning of October. Icelandic health
authorities have purchased 300,000 doses of the vaccine, which will
be delivered in four shipments. The last shipment is expected to
arrive in Iceland at the beginning of January 2010. Vaccinations
will be performed only at health care centers and hospitals. The
recent discovery that the vaccine might only need to be administered
once means that almost all Icelanders (pop. 320,000) could be
vaccinated.


4. (U) The H1N1 vaccine, which will be provided free of charge to
Icelandic residents, will be administered to three target groups in
accordance with WHO recommendations. Group I consists of health
care workers, caretakers in nursing homes and homes for disabled
people, patients with specified underlying diseases, pregnant women,
policemen, firemen, rescue workers and paramedics. Group II,
comprised of all individuals between six months and 18 years of age,
will be offered vaccinations in the beginning of November. The
remaining vaccine supply will then be offered to Group III, all
other residents in Iceland.


5. (U) According to Briem, individuals in Group I will be vaccinated
first, beginning in October, and revaccinated later if needed. Once
Group I has been vaccinated, those in Group II will be able to make
an appointment within a specified timeframe. At the end of that
period, Group III will be able to make an appointment for
vaccination. Briem said the schools will most likely try to
schedule group appointments. Authorities will encourage people to
get the vaccine, but it is not mandatory. The government has
already distributed informational posters and hand sanitizers as
part of its public awareness campaign.


6. (U) Iceland adopted the WHO's declaration of H1N1 as a pandemic
in the beginning of August, despite the mild nature of the symptoms,
because the Chief Epidemiologist stated that the flu was thought to
be spreading faster in comparison with the other Nordic countries.
Despite the declaration, however, no restrictions were placed on
schools or public gatherings, nor were additional resources made
available to address the issue. Schools, which started in late
August and early September, have not reported an increase of H1N1
virus cases this year and have operated on normal basis. Iceland
has two influenza seasons. The first period runs through October,
while the second period peaks in January or February. Chief
Epidemiologist Briem told EmbOff that it is very likely that the
second wave of the H1N1 virus will appear after the New Year.


7. (U) Comment: The Icelandic government is taking seriously the
threat of another H1N1 outbreak in Iceland and making an effort to
prepare for its possible recurrence. Recent budget cuts due to the
economic crisis should have little impact on the government's
ability to address the issue, as the vaccines will have been
administered before any layoffs would take effect. However, as the
vaccinations are voluntary and Iceland can be a popular tourist
destination even in the winter, the reemergence of an H1N1 outbreak
is expected. End comment.
WATSON