VZCZCXRO1598
PP RUEHIK
DE RUEHSL #0471 3101634
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 061634Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0249
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEHSL/AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA 0289

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000471 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KFLU WHO LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAK OFFICIALS PLAY DOWN H1N1 THREAT BUT CLOSE BORDER 
CROSSINGS WITH UKRAINE 
 
REF: KYIV 1915 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Slovak officials have been playing down the 
threat of an H1N1 outbreak even as they close border crossings 
to Ukraine, where the situation has reportedly worsened in 
recent days.  Confirmed H1N1 infections are still few--there 
were three additional cases reported this week in 
Bratislava--but our sources believe this number to be 
significantly underreported as many people are never tested. 
The Slovak government plans to sign a contract by the end of the 
month to purchase 1 million doses of H1N1 vaccine, but delivery 
will likely not take place before the end of January.  Two small 
border crossings have been closed, and health monitors are 
posted at the crossings that remain open.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Slovak officials, including Minister of Health Richard 
Rasi, have repeatedly appeared in the media over the last few 
days to downplay public concern about H1N1.  Rasi stated that 
there is "no reason for panic" in response to the flu outbreak 
in Ukraine (reftel) and proclaimed that the government is 
well-prepared for an eventual increase in cases, as it has 
stockpiled 27 million face masks.  WHO Country Director Darina 
Sedlakova (protect) told us that while the current situation in 
Slovakia is stable, she is greatly concerned about the 
government's approach, which she characterized as being too 
casual.  Sedlakova told us that GOS has shown no urgency in 
procuring H1N1 vaccines, instead drawing out its negotiations 
with pharmaceutical companies for three months, making it very 
likely that the vaccines will not arrive until long after 
infections have peaked.  On the other hand, we have been told by 
health ministry officials that the Slovak government has 
provided some doctors to Ukraine, as well as a large number of 
face masks. 
 
¶3. (U) Miroslava Vozaryova, Director of the International 
Treaties Department at the Ministry of Interior, told us that in 
response to the H1N1 outbreak in Ukraine, Slovakia has closed 
two of the five border crossings with its eastern neighbor.  The 
ministry has dispatched doctors and specialized equipment to the 
remaining three crossings in order to identify and possibly 
refuse admittance to anyone with an elevated body temperature 
and H1N1 symptoms.  Minister of Interior Robert Kalinak warned 
the public today that he is considering closing all but one 
border crossing, which would then be closely monitored by health 
officials. 
 
EDDINS