Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TIRANA731
2009-11-13 13:57:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tirana
Cable title:  

H1N1 Update - Albania

Tags:  AMGT CASC KFLU PINR PREL AL 
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VZCZCXRO7354
PP RUEHIK
DE RUEHTI #0731 3171357
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 131357Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY TIRANA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8588
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS TIRANA 000731 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/SCE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT CASC KFLU PINR PREL AL
SUBJECT: H1N1 Update - Albania

Ref: Tirana 567

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFED - PLEASE TREAT ACCORDINGLY

UNCLAS TIRANA 000731

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/SCE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT CASC KFLU PINR PREL AL
SUBJECT: H1N1 Update - Albania

Ref: Tirana 567

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFED - PLEASE TREAT ACCORDINGLY


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On November 12 Albanian authorities reported a
total of 57 verified cases of H1N1 in Albania, as well as an
increase in the number of unspecified "respiratory illnesses"
compared to this time last year. On November 10, the Albanian Public
Health Institute announced that it has begun testing for the H1N1
virus in Tirana and at least two schools were reporting student
absences possibly due to the H1N1 virus or seasonal flu. END
SUMMARY.

H1N1 Cases on the Rise
--------------


2. (SBU) According to the Albanian Institute of Public Health
(ISHP),in recent weeks there has been a surge in the number of H1N1
virus patients. Ten cases were reported this past week and nine
cases the previous week. The Institute of Public Health confirmed
that several schools in Tirana and one in northern Albania have
confirmed cases of H1N1. Epidemiology specialists are working with
the schools to monitor the situation. Consideration is being given
to closing the affected schools. Nevertheless, Minister of Health
Petrit Vasili publicly stated last week that the H1N1 situation in
Albania is "stable and under control."


World Bank to Assist With Vaccine Purchase
--------------


3. (SBU) Health Minister Vasili said publicly last week that
approximately 1.2 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine, an amount
deemed sufficient by health authorities to cover Albania's immediate
needs, will arrive in Albania by the end of November and a
vaccination program will begin in December. Priority groups
targeted for receiving the immunizations and a distribution plan
have been developed, he said. However, other health professionals
have told Post that they are unaware of concrete plans for acquiring
the vaccine.


4. (SBU) The GOA still lacks the funds to purchase vaccines, but
expects to receive assistance from the World Bank. Following a
government request, the World Bank plans to directly support the MoH
in purchasing H1N1 vaccines and related medical equipment.


5. (SBU) On November 10, Minister Vasili inaugurated Albania's new
laboratory at the ISHP that will conduct tests on the H1N1 virus
within 5 hours of the receipt of samples. Albania's tests were
previously conducted at a lab in Bucharest.


6. (SBU) COMMENT: It appears that Minister Vasili's statements on
the stability of the H1N1 situation in Albania do reflect the
current situation. However, it is of concern that the GOA does not
appear to have a specific plan for the actual purchase of vaccines
and seems to be relying on broad statements and vague timelines.
With the assistance of the World Bank, Albania should be able to
obtain a number of H1N1 vaccines, but the actual amount may be below
what the MoH is hoping for. The opening of the ISHP laboratory
should increase the GOA's ability to track the spread of H1N1 within
Albania, although combatting that spread will be difficult until the
vaccines arrive.
WITHERS