VZCZCXRO3413
OO RUEHPOD
DE RUEHPS #0176 1201416
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 301416Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY PRISTINA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8974
INFO RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PRIORITY 0038
RUEHSQ/AMEMBASSY SKOPJE PRIORITY 7550
RUEHTI/AMEMBASSY TIRANA PRIORITY 6418
RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS PRIORITY 0002
RUEHPOD/AMEMBASSY PODGORICA PRIORITY 0003

UNCLAS PRISTINA 000176 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR CA/OCS - KINDER, EUR/SCE - SHIRATORI, COFFIN, 
DS/IP/EUR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMED ASEC CASC YI KV KFLU
SUBJECT: KOSOVO:  H1NI INFLUENZA RESPONSE 
 
REF: STATE: 43249 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED -- PLEASE HANDLE ACCORDINGLY. 
 
¶1. (SBU) In response to reftel, there are no reports of 
confirmed cases of H1NI influenza in Kosovo to date.  The 
Government of Kosovo has implemented a public awareness 
campaign, and several GOK institutions have already 
disseminated World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on 
the precautions to take to prevent spreading or contracting 
the H1NI virus. 
 
¶2. (SBU) The Kosovo Institute of Public Health plans to print 
the WHO guidelines in all local newspapers, and has one 
epidemiologist placed at Pristina International Airport 
(PIA).  The epidemiologist is working in coordination with 
the airport's medical unit to address any suspected H1NI 
cases among passengers arriving in Kosovo.  The Kosovo 
Police, responsible for immigration and border protection, 
has instructed all regional commanders and airport personnel 
to ask passengers if they have traveled to any areas affected 
by the H1NI virus, and also urged close cooperation with 
local health organizations if officers encounter any 
suspected cases of infection. Post has learned that the KIPH 
has stockpiled about 2500 treatment courses of Tamiflu; the 
World Bank has pledged 2,000 treatment courses (1000 for 
adults/1000 for children); and that local pharmaceutical 
company KOFE has 14,000 treatment courses in reserve, at the 
request of the Kosovo Government. 
 
¶3. (SBU) The Kosovo Veterinary and Food Agency (KVFA) has 
placed a ban on importing pork products from Mexico, and is 
also distributing informational brochures to parties that 
might be affected by the H1NI virus, including pig owners and 
farmers.  The KVFA is also activating their avian influenza 
contingency plan and have trained mobile units on stand-by. 
There are KVFA inspectors located at all ports of entry, and 
in the cargo section of the airport. 
 
¶4. (SBU) In addition, Post has taken the following actions: 
 
- On April 30, Post held an EAC to discuss the H1NI influenza 
situation with nearly all agencies under Chief of Mission 
authority.  Post will review emergency phone lists for 
accuracy and review the Mission Emergency Action Plan.  Post 
has enough Tamiflu doses (approx. 400) for all American 
staff, including family members, and local staff, not 
including family members. 
 
- On April 30, Post distributed a warden message to all 
Americans living in Kosovo and posted it on the public 
website.  The warden message contained no specific medical 
advice and was cleared through the Department. 
 
KAIDANOW