Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TIRANA747
2009-11-19 16:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tirana
Cable title:
H1N1 - GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES AN "ALMOST" PANDEMIC
how-toVZCZCXRO2961 RR RUEHIK DE RUEHTI #0747 3231627 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 191627Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY TIRANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8603 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS TIRANA 000747
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR EUR/SCE:JISMAIL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SOCI AL
SUBJECT: H1N1 - GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES AN "ALMOST" PANDEMIC
UNCLAS TIRANA 000747
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR EUR/SCE:JISMAIL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SOCI AL
SUBJECT: H1N1 - GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES AN "ALMOST" PANDEMIC
1. (SBU) Minister of HEALTH Petrit Vasili held a press conference
November 19 to declare that Albania is "on the edge of an epidemic
spread of the H1N1 virus." He stated that "there is no reason to
panic, but citizens should be careful and follow given
instructions." Vasili stated that schools will remain open, adding
that this decision would be revisited only if the number of patients
increases considerably.
2. (SBU) To date, the Ministry of HEALTH has taken 1,418 samples
from patients, of which 129 have been confirmed H1N1. Almost all
cases have been mild to moderate, and only ONE person is currently
hospitalized due to the virus. According to MoH statistics, the
vast majority of H1N1-infected patients have been between the ages
of 15 and 24. While the MoH has seen a significant rise in
confirmed cases in November, the trend has not been outside seasonal
trends, according to a MoH report released today. The report also
stated that it has acquired sufficient levels of Tamiflu to treat
infected patients and that it is currently distributing this
medicine to regional hospitals.
3. (U) While confirmed cases have been noted in every region of
Albania, the majority of cases have been in Tirana and neighboring
districts.
4. (SBU) On November 20, Post will hold a previously scheduled
Emergency Action Committee meeting to discuss Post's preparedness to
deal with a potential H1N1 pandemic in Albania.
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR EUR/SCE:JISMAIL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SOCI AL
SUBJECT: H1N1 - GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES AN "ALMOST" PANDEMIC
1. (SBU) Minister of HEALTH Petrit Vasili held a press conference
November 19 to declare that Albania is "on the edge of an epidemic
spread of the H1N1 virus." He stated that "there is no reason to
panic, but citizens should be careful and follow given
instructions." Vasili stated that schools will remain open, adding
that this decision would be revisited only if the number of patients
increases considerably.
2. (SBU) To date, the Ministry of HEALTH has taken 1,418 samples
from patients, of which 129 have been confirmed H1N1. Almost all
cases have been mild to moderate, and only ONE person is currently
hospitalized due to the virus. According to MoH statistics, the
vast majority of H1N1-infected patients have been between the ages
of 15 and 24. While the MoH has seen a significant rise in
confirmed cases in November, the trend has not been outside seasonal
trends, according to a MoH report released today. The report also
stated that it has acquired sufficient levels of Tamiflu to treat
infected patients and that it is currently distributing this
medicine to regional hospitals.
3. (U) While confirmed cases have been noted in every region of
Albania, the majority of cases have been in Tirana and neighboring
districts.
4. (SBU) On November 20, Post will hold a previously scheduled
Emergency Action Committee meeting to discuss Post's preparedness to
deal with a potential H1N1 pandemic in Albania.