BULGARIA H1N1 UPDATE

UNCLAS SOFIA 000584

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

EUR/CE TKONDITI, OES/IHB DWINN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC KFLU AEMR CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL
PINR, AMGT, TF, ECON, EINV, PGOV, SOCI, AMED, BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIA H1N1 UPDATE

REF: A. STATE 044165

B. STATE 045833


1. (SBU) Summary: The Ministry of Health announced
Bulgaria's first A/H1N1 death on September 30. A total of 78
Bulgarians have contracted the virus thus far. Bulgaria will
join the European Union's initiative to buy vaccines and
inoculate risk groups free of charge. Last updated in March
2008, Bulgaria's National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness
Plan is based on EU and WHO recommendations. End summary.


2. (SBU) Bulgaria's first recorded death as a result of the
A/H1N1 virus occurred September 30. The patient was a
30-year old male who first showed flu-like symptoms on
September 19. He was admitted to a local hospital on
September 23, where he was found to be suffering from
bilateral pneumonia. The patient was transferred on
September 25 to Lozenets University Hospital for Active
Treatment. According to Dr. Lyubomir Spassov, Director of
the Lozenets Hospital, the man was a drug addict, a factor
that contributed to the lethal outcome. According to the
Bulgarian Ministry of Health, a total of 78 Bulgarians have
contracted the virus thus far.


3. (SBU) Bulgaria has a National Influenza Pandemic
Preparedness Plan ("the Plan"),which was last updated in
March 2008. The Plan was prepared in accordance with the EU
and WHO's Global Program for Influenza Surveillance and
Control, and is based on the current capacity of the
Bulgarian healthcare system. The Plan will be updated and
evaluated periodically. The Plan has two goals. The first
is to organize comprehensive and timely action to limit and
subsequently reduce the morbidity rate of pandemic influenza;
ensure the optimal settings for treatment of infected people;
maintain the functionality of vital public sectors and
services, such as healthcare, security, transport, etc.; and
ensure permanent, reliable and up-to-date public information
on the influenza pandemic developments and the measures
applied. The second goal is to improve the existing system
for monitoring and control of seasonal influenza epidemics in
parallel with the country's preparation for possible
pandemics, thus achieving significant reduction in morbidity,
mortality and losses from influenza epidemics in Bulgaria.


4. (SBU) The Plan calls for strengthening influenza
surveillance, implementing a strategy for providing the
country with vaccines and antiviral drugs in pandemic
situations, intensifying antivirus preparations, including
vaccinations, during the periods between pandemics;
increasing national reserves of antiviral drugs; and further
researching influenza epidemiology and prevention. Bulgaria
will support the EU common policy on A/H1N1 and will buy
vaccines and inoculate risk groups free of charge. Together
with other EU member states, Bulgaria is expected to open a
public procurement procedure for the purchase of the vaccine
by the end of the year.


5. (SBU) Comment. Bulgaria's National Influenza Pandemic
Preparedness Plan is still applicable and appropriate to the
A/H1N1 flu pandemic, though its latest version is a bit
dated. The Plan has been written so that it can respond and
adapt to changing conditions as necessary. Experts agree the
Plan looks good on paper, but we will monitor whether the
healthcare system has the financial, logistical, and
administrative capacity to manage its practical
implementation. End comment.

ORDWAY