Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SOFIA635
2009-11-06 14:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Sofia
Cable title:
BULGARIA TO DECLARE NON-SPECIFIC FLU EPIDEMIC
how-toVZCZCXRO1295 OO RUEHIK DE RUEHSF #0635 3101452 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 061452Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY SOFIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6458 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS SOFIA 000635
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 TO DECLARE NON-SPECIFIC FLU EPIDEMIC
UNCLAS SOFIA 000635
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 TO DECLARE NON-SPECIFIC FLU EPIDEMIC
1. (SBU) Bulgaria is expected to announce a national flu
epidemic on November 6. According to the National Influenza
Pandemic Preparedness Plan, a national epidemic is declared
once the rate of illness across the country reaches 200 in
10,000 persons. Currently, there are 15 regions and
municipalities, including Sofia, which have reached or
surpassed this rate. In general, Bulgarian media do not
differentiate between H1N1 and the seasonal flu. While it
appears an estimated 100,000 Bulgarians currently have the
flu, experts recognize the vast majority are suffering from
the seasonal variety, not H1N1. So far, there are 227
confirmed H1N1 cases and five deaths.
2. (SBU) Bulgarian media reports about H1N1 have created
public anxiety, causing many parents to take their children
out of school for fear of infection. Classes have been
suspended at 763 schools country-wide due to student
absentees. According to the Ministry of Health, public
schools are required to temporarily close when absentee rates
hit 30 percent.
3. (SBU) Comment: A national flu epidemic is declared every
year in Bulgaria due to the large number of individuals that
contract the virus. The announcement this year comes earlier
than past years, however. This, combined with the
exaggerated news reporting, is causing an over-reaction to
what is, so far, not a particularly bad flu season. End
Comment.
ORDWAY
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 TO DECLARE NON-SPECIFIC FLU EPIDEMIC
1. (SBU) Bulgaria is expected to announce a national flu
epidemic on November 6. According to the National Influenza
Pandemic Preparedness Plan, a national epidemic is declared
once the rate of illness across the country reaches 200 in
10,000 persons. Currently, there are 15 regions and
municipalities, including Sofia, which have reached or
surpassed this rate. In general, Bulgarian media do not
differentiate between H1N1 and the seasonal flu. While it
appears an estimated 100,000 Bulgarians currently have the
flu, experts recognize the vast majority are suffering from
the seasonal variety, not H1N1. So far, there are 227
confirmed H1N1 cases and five deaths.
2. (SBU) Bulgarian media reports about H1N1 have created
public anxiety, causing many parents to take their children
out of school for fear of infection. Classes have been
suspended at 763 schools country-wide due to student
absentees. According to the Ministry of Health, public
schools are required to temporarily close when absentee rates
hit 30 percent.
3. (SBU) Comment: A national flu epidemic is declared every
year in Bulgaria due to the large number of individuals that
contract the virus. The announcement this year comes earlier
than past years, however. This, combined with the
exaggerated news reporting, is causing an over-reaction to
what is, so far, not a particularly bad flu season. End
Comment.
ORDWAY