VZCZCXRO1100
RR RUEHIK
DE RUEHTH #1816/01 2790945
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 060944Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0796
INFO RUEHIK/AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI 0018

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 001816 
 
SIPDIS 
STATE FOR OES/IHB 
STATE FOR USDA/FAS/OSTA 
STATE PASS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 
STATE PASS CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC CASC KFLO KFLU AEMR TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR
AMGT, GR 
SUBJECT: GREECE H1N1 FLU UPDATE: 7,000 STUDENTS OUT OF SCHOOL; MASS 
VACCINATION MID-OCTOBER 
 
REF: 09 ATHENS 691; 09 ATHENS 1035; 09 ATHENS 1389 
 
ATHENS 00001816  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. SUMMARY.   The number of confirmed H1N1 cases has exceeded 2,100 
in Greece in the period May-October 2009 but the unrecorded 
infections are estimated at 20 to 30 times that number.  Greece had 
12 serious cases and 3 fatalities from H1N1 infection to date, 
however 95 percent of patients have fully recovered.  About 7,000 
students nationwide have been out of school because they got the flu 
while four high schools in Athens were closed for a few days as a 
precaution.  Health Minister announced the creation of three 
committees for A/H1N1 novel influenza as well as new vaccination 
centers and flu clinics.  The inoculation of the general population 
in Greece will begin in late October with the vulnerable groups 
taking the lead. Meanwhile, parents and doctors object to mass 
vaccination plans, expressing concerns that the side effects of the 
new vaccine may outweigh the mild symptoms of the flu.  END SUMMARY. 
H1N1 Cases 
---------- 
¶2.  As of October 1, more than 2,100 cases of H1N1 infection have 
been diagnosed in Greece but the number of unrecorded infections is 
estimated at 20 to 30 times that number.  According to the Ministry 
of Education at least 7,000 students nationwide have been absent 
because they came down with the novel flu since the beginning of the 
school year on September 11.  Four high schools in the Athens broader 
area, including the American affiliated private schools Pierce 
College and Athens College, were closed for seven days following 
dozens of students presenting flu-like symptoms and taking leave as a 
precaution.  The symptoms of the flu continue to be mild in the 
majority of the cases while 95 percent of patients have fully 
recovered.  To date, Greece had 12 serious cases and 3 fatalities 
from H1N1 infection. 
Vaccination 
----------- 
¶3.  Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos announced on October 1 that 
the inoculation of the general population in Greece would begin in 20 
days' time beginning with the vulnerable groups.  The Minister said 
that 100,000 vaccines have already been imported and are stored at 
the National Health Center facilities in Athens.  Another 100,000 
vaccines are due to arrive in the next few days.  The vaccine will 
initially be administered to the vulnerable or high risk population 
groups, which are estimated at nearly 2.5 million people. 
Avramopoulos noted that the European Drugs Agency has recently 
approved the use of the novel flu vaccine and mass vaccinations would 
soon begin in several European countries. 
¶4.  Meanwhile, concerns about the side effects of the new vaccine are 
being expressed by parents and doctors in Greece.  Parents 
Associations question the expediency of mass vaccinations and note 
the existence of special cases among those inoculated i.e. diabetics 
or those suffering from other diseases.  The doctors' community has 
expressed similar concerns.  A questionnaire measuring the intention 
to be vaccinated distributed to 152 doctors and dentists of the 
Social Security Center of Piraeus received 66 percent negative 
answers, 20 percent undecided and only 14 percent positive answers. 
The mild symptoms of the flu H1N1 combined with the fear that the new 
vaccine has not been tested enough are the basis of these concerns. 
Other GoG Measures 
------------------ 
¶5.  A few weeks ago, Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos announced 
on September 1, the creation of three committees for A/H1N1 novel 
influenza as well as new vaccination centers and flu clinics to boost 
operational planning for coping with the disease.  Avramopoulos said 
that the ministry would set up a Supreme Ethics and Conduct Committee 
for the flu as well as two special committees for epidemiological and 
clinical monitoring of its progress.  The Minister emphasized that 
the instructions given by the World Health Organization (WHO) are 
being strictly adhered to.  He thought the period of maximum 
intensity in the virus' progress was not expected to last long in 
Greece, where winters come later and end sooner. Education Minister 
Aris Spiliotopoulos also unveiled an action plan against novel 
influenza in schools ahead of the school opening on September 11. 
The action plan includes the operation of a special hotline through 
which the public receives information by specialized personnel, 
access to information through the education ministry website, a 
two-week educational television program with simplified guidelines 
for primary and secondary education school children and their 
parents, and the reservation of more than 45,000 vaccines for 
teaching personnel.  In case of school closings, a special program on 
educational television is in operation for children who miss classes. 
 
Private American Citizen Cases 
------------------------------ 
 
ATHENS 00001816  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶6. The Consular Sections in Athens and Thessaloniki monitor and 
provide assistance to private American citizens diagnosed with H1N1, 
and over the past months became familiar with twenty eight such 
cases, evenly divided between the two posts.  In the last two months, 
however, there has only been one new case, involving a cruise ship 
passenger who also suffers from cystic fibrosis who is currently 
hospitalized in Athens.  The last cases of Americans who were 
involuntarily quarantined occurred in early July. 
 
 
Embassy plans 
------------- 
¶7.  The Embassy Medical Unit is coordinating H1N1 preparation and 
response according to guidance issued by the CDC and MED Washington. 
Currently, the Embassy is well stocked with supplies required during 
an influenza outbreak, to include anti-viral medications, various 
masks and respirators, gowns, gloves, and antibacterial 
hand-sanitizers.  In addition, literature and guidance aimed at 
decreasing disease transmission along with patient education will be 
disseminated throughout the upcoming months to the Embassy community. 
 The Medical Unit is awaiting shipment of the seasonal influenza 
vaccine, and will encourage all Embassy personnel and families to be 
vaccinated, in accordance with CDC guidelines.  Once H1N1 vaccine 
arrives from MED Washington, high-risk personnel will be vaccinated 
according to CDC recommendations; at this time, there is no target 
date for H1N1 vaccine arrival.  In the past 4 months, there have not 
been any cases of documented Influenza A or H1N1 in our Embassy 
population.  Should a spike in influenza cases occur in our 
population, the Medical Unit will work with Management to implement 
mission policies aimed at decreasing transmission and infection 
rates. 
Speckhard