US embassy cable - 05BRATISLAVA873

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000873 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: TBIO, EAGR, SOCI, KSCA, LO, WHO, FAO, OIE 
SUBJECT: SLOVAK AVIAN INFLUENZA FRAMEWORK PLAN 
 
REF: BRATISLAVA 865 
 
1.  On October 26, the GOS approved and publicly released its 
framework plan to combat the threat of avian influenza (AI) 
and the possibility of a pandemic virus.  The new plan 
replaced a previous version established in August of 2001. 
The framework established a Commission, headed by Minister of 
Health Rudolf Zajac, to coordinate all government actions. 
Other members of the Commission include the Ministers of 
Interior, Defense, Transportation, Agriculture, Finance, 
Education, and other bureaucrats and scientific experts. 
 
2.  According to the release, the Commission has been tasked 
to draft a specific action plan within 15 days that prepares 
for multiple contingencies (this is really just a formality, 
because this plan already exists, see reftel).  Other 
responsibilities of the Commission include taking inventories 
of vaccines, anti-virals, and protective gear (and financing 
any deficiencies), negotiating for additional drug supplies, 
addressing any VAT concerns with acquisitions related to AI, 
verifying the numbers of at-risk workers, and vaccinating 
them (for seasonal influenza).  Critical ministries (such as 
Interior, Defense, and Transportation) were also asked to 
generate specific plans to ensure that they could function in 
the event of a pandemic outbreak.  Finally, the Ministry of 
Agriculture was assigned to enact measures to protect animals 
and the Ministry of Education was charged with preparing a 
strategy to protect public schools. 
VALLEE 
 
 
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