FIRST CASE OF H1N1 INFLUENZA IN LATVIA

UNCLAS RIGA 000350 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU AEMR PREL CASC PINR AMGT LG SUBJECT: FIRST CASE OF H1N1 INFLUENZA IN LATVIA REF: STATE 45269 ¶1. Latvia confirmed its first case of H1N1 influenza on June 23. The woman, who came to Riga from Berlin on June 21, proved to be flu positive. She had earlier visited the United States and Canada. The woman was taken to hospital immediately after her arrival. This is the first confirmed case of H1N1 flu in Latvia. ¶2. The Latvian Ministry of Health stated the woman was not in serious condition, but had been hospitalized for public health reasons. Health officials urged all passengers on the woman's flight Sunday -- Air Baltic BT218 -- to seek immediate medical help if they felt any flu symptoms. Latvian officials have also contacted their German counterparts to try to trace passengers who had travelled with the woman on the prior flight from Canada to Germany. ¶3. Post will work with CA/OCS on a warden message to the American community. ¶4. Re reftel query about use of thermal imaging devices to screen for passengers with elevated temperatures, Latvia is not currently using such devices. ROGERS