VZCZCXRO8450
PP RUEHIK
DE RUEHSL #0494 3291241
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 251241Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0283
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEHSL/AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA 0330

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000494 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EUR/CE J. MOORE 
STATE FOR OES/IHB 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SOCI KFLU WHO CASC LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA H1N1 UPDATE: RATE OF INFECTION INCREASING, 
GOVERNMENT REMAINS LOW-KEY 
 
REF: A. BRATISLAVA 471 
     ¶B. BRATISLAVA 475 
 
¶1. (U) The rate of H1N1 infection in Slovakia continues to rise, 
as 133 new cases of H1N1 flu were officially diagnosed in the 
week ending November 20.  The previous week had seen 72 new 
cases, and before that just 29 new ones.  In all likelihood, 
these numbers greatly understate the actual prevalence of H1N1, 
as relatively few of the 40,000 people in the country exhibiting 
flu-like symptoms in recent weeks have been tested for H1N1. 
Still, the public seems relatively unconcerned about the spread 
of the virus, as it has apparently caused only a single death in 
Slovakia. 
 
¶2. (SBU) The controls implemented at the Ukraine border 
(reftels) are continuing, and WHO Country Director Darina 
Sedlakova told us that 10-15 Ukrainians have been denied entry 
because they exhibited flu-like symptoms.  Otherwise, the 
government appears to be taking few measures in response to the 
outbreak.  Negotiations with vaccine companies are not yet 
completed, and contrary to misleading reports in the local 
media, our sources tell us that H1N1 vaccines will not be 
available in Slovakia until February at the earliest. 
 
EDDINS