P 251124Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY RIGA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5919
INFO EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS RIGA 000350 
 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: KFLU AEMR PREL CASC PINR AMGT LG
SUBJECT:  FIRST CASE OF H1N1 INFLUENZA IN LATVIA 
 
REF: STATE 45269 
 
¶1.  Latvia confirmed its first case of H1N1 influenza on 
June 23.  The woman, who came to Riga from Berlin on June 21, proved 
to be flu positive. She had earlier visited the United States and 
Canada. The woman was taken to hospital immediately after her 
arrival. This is the first confirmed case of H1N1 flu in Latvia. 
 
¶2.  The Latvian Ministry of Health stated the woman was not in 
serious condition, but had been hospitalized for public health 
reasons.  Health officials urged all passengers on the woman's 
flight Sunday -- Air Baltic BT218 -- to seek immediate medical help 
if they felt any flu symptoms.  Latvian officials have also 
contacted their German counterparts to try to trace passengers who 
had travelled with the woman on the prior flight from Canada to 
Germany. 
 
¶3. Post will work with CA/OCS on a warden message to the American 
community. 
 
¶4.  Re reftel query about use of thermal imaging devices to screen 
for passengers with elevated temperatures, Latvia is not currently 
using such devices. 
 
ROGERS