

Currently released so far... 12478 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AU
ASEC
AE
AF
AORC
AEMR
AMGT
ABUD
AFFAIRS
APER
AS
AMED
AY
AG
AR
AJ
AL
AID
AM
AODE
ABLD
AMG
AFIN
ATRN
AGAO
AFU
AN
AA
ALOW
APECO
ADM
ARF
ASEAN
APEC
AMBASSADOR
AO
ASUP
AZ
AADP
ACOA
ANET
AMCHAMS
ACABQ
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
APCS
AGMT
AINF
AIT
AORL
ACS
AFSI
AFSN
ACBAQ
AFGHANISTAN
ADANA
ADPM
AX
ADCO
AECL
AMEX
ACAO
ASCH
AORG
AGR
AROC
ASIG
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
BL
BR
BO
BA
BD
BM
BK
BG
BU
BB
BH
BTIO
BY
BEXP
BP
BE
BRUSSELS
BF
BIDEN
BT
BX
BC
BILAT
BN
BBSR
BTIU
BWC
BMGT
CA
CASC
CVIS
CM
CH
CO
CU
CD
CWC
CI
CS
CY
CMGT
CF
CG
CR
CB
CV
CW
CE
CBW
CT
CPAS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CJAN
CODEL
CIDA
CDG
CDC
CIA
CTR
CNARC
CSW
CN
CONS
CLINTON
COE
CROS
CARICOM
CONDOLEEZZA
COUNTER
CL
COM
CICTE
CIS
CFED
COUNTRY
CJUS
CBSA
CEUDA
CLMT
CAC
COPUOS
CIC
CBE
CHR
CTM
CVR
CITEL
CLEARANCE
CACS
CAN
CITT
CARSON
CACM
CDB
CAPC
CKGR
CBC
EC
EG
EPET
ECON
ETRD
EFIN
EIND
EMIN
ENRG
EAID
EAGR
EUN
ETTC
EAIR
ENIV
ES
EU
EINV
ELAB
ECIN
EFIS
ELTN
EWWT
ECPS
ECONOMIC
ENGR
EN
EINT
EPA
ELN
ESA
EZ
ER
ET
EFTA
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
EXTERNAL
EI
EUR
EK
ERNG
ENGY
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENERG
EINVEFIN
ENVR
ECA
ELECTIONS
ETC
EUREM
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EURN
ECINECONCS
EEPET
EXIM
ERD
ENVI
ETRC
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ETRO
EDU
ETRN
EAIG
ECONCS
ECONOMICS
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
EIAR
EXBS
ECUN
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ESENV
ECONEFIN
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUNCH
EINVETC
IZ
IT
IR
IS
IN
IC
IAEA
IO
ICAO
IWC
ID
IV
ISRAEL
IAHRC
IQ
ICTR
IMF
IRS
IDP
IGAD
ICRC
ICTY
IMO
IL
INRA
INRO
ICJ
ITU
IBRD
INMARSAT
IIP
ITALY
IEFIN
IACI
ILO
INTELSAT
ILC
ITRA
IDA
INRB
IRC
INTERPOL
IA
IPR
IRAQI
ISRAELI
INTERNAL
ISLAMISTS
INDO
ITPHUM
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
IBET
INR
IEA
IZPREL
IRAJ
ITF
IF
KDEM
KU
KPAL
KNNP
KCRM
KZ
KN
KS
KJUS
KTFN
KSCA
KV
KISL
KPAO
KPKO
KIRF
KTIA
KIPR
KFLO
KFRD
KTIP
KAWC
KSUM
KCOM
KAID
KE
KTDB
KMDR
KOMC
KWBG
KDRG
KVPR
KTEX
KGIC
KWMN
KSCI
KCOR
KACT
KDDG
KHLS
KSAF
KFLU
KSEO
KMRS
KSPR
KOLY
KSEP
KVIR
KGHG
KIRC
KUNR
KIFR
KCIP
KMCA
KMPI
KBCT
KHSA
KICC
KIDE
KCRS
KMFO
KRVC
KRGY
KR
KAWK
KG
KFIN
KHIV
KBIO
KOCI
KBTR
KNEI
KPOA
KCFE
KPLS
KSTC
KHDP
KPRP
KCRCM
KLIG
KCFC
KTER
KREC
KTBT
KPRV
KSTH
KRIM
KRAD
KWAC
KWMM
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KOMS
KX
KMIG
KRCM
KVRP
KBTS
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNAR
KPWR
KNPP
KDEMAF
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KGIT
KPAI
KTLA
KFSC
KCSY
KSAC
KTRD
KID
KOM
KMOC
KJUST
KGCC
KREL
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KO
KNSD
KHUM
KSEC
KCMR
KCHG
KICA
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KCGC
KWWMN
KPAK
KWNM
KWMNCS
KRFD
MOPS
MCAP
MPOS
MARR
MO
MNUC
MX
MASS
MG
MY
MU
ML
MR
MILITARY
MTCRE
MT
MEPP
MA
MDC
MP
MAR
MASSMNUC
MARAD
MAPP
MZ
MD
MI
MEETINGS
MK
MCC
MEPN
MRCRE
MAS
MIL
MASC
MC
MV
MTCR
MIK
MUCN
MEDIA
MERCOSUR
MW
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MTRE
MEPI
MQADHAFI
MAPS
NO
NATO
NL
NP
NZ
NSF
NI
NH
NG
NAFTA
NU
NASA
NR
NATOPREL
NSSP
NSG
NA
NT
NW
NK
NPT
NPA
NATIONAL
NPG
NSFO
NS
NSC
NE
NGO
NDP
NIPP
NRR
NEW
NZUS
NC
NAR
NV
NORAD
OTRA
OPCW
OVIP
OAS
OREP
OPIC
OIIP
OPRC
ODIP
OEXC
OPDC
OSCE
OIC
OSCI
OECD
OFDP
OFDA
OMIG
OPAD
OFFICIALS
OVP
OIE
OHUM
OCS
OBSP
OTR
OSAC
ON
OCII
OES
PGOV
PREL
PHUM
PTER
PINS
PINR
PREF
PK
PROP
PA
PARM
PBTS
PMAR
PM
PGIV
PE
PRAM
PHUH
PHSA
PL
PNAT
PO
PLN
PAO
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PF
PEL
PBIO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PAS
POL
PREO
PAHO
PMIL
POGOV
POV
PAK
PNR
PRL
PG
PREFA
PSI
PINL
PU
PARMS
PRGOV
PALESTINIAN
PAIGH
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POSTS
PROG
PORG
PTBS
PUNE
POLICY
PDOV
PCI
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PBT
PP
PS
PY
PTERE
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PRELP
PSEPC
PGOVE
PINF
PNG
PGOC
PFOR
PCUL
POLINT
PGGV
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PGOVLO
PHUS
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
RS
RU
RELATIONS
RW
RO
RM
RP
ROOD
RICE
RUPREL
RSO
RCMP
REACTION
REPORT
REGION
RIGHTS
RF
RFE
RSP
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
SU
SCUL
SNAR
SOCI
SF
SA
SHUM
SENV
SP
SR
SY
SANC
SC
SMIG
SZ
SARS
SW
SEVN
SO
SEN
SL
SNARCS
SNARN
SI
SG
SN
SH
SYR
SAARC
SPCE
SHI
SCRS
SENVKGHG
SYRIA
SWE
STEINBERG
SIPRS
ST
SNARIZ
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SIPDIS
SAN
TC
TI
TBIO
TH
TSPL
TRGY
TSPA
TPHY
TU
TW
TS
TAGS
TK
TX
TNGD
TZ
TF
TL
TV
TN
TD
TIP
TR
TP
TO
TT
TFIN
THPY
TERRORISM
TINT
TRSY
TURKEY
TBID
US
UK
UNGA
UP
UZ
UNMIK
USTR
UNO
UNSC
UN
UNESCO
UNAUS
UNHRC
UY
UG
UNHCR
UNCND
USOAS
USEU
UNICEF
UNEP
UV
UNPUOS
UNCSD
USUN
UNCHR
UNDC
USNC
UE
UNDP
UNC
USPS
USAID
UNVIE
UAE
UNFICYP
UNODC
UNCHS
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNCHC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 06HELSINKI254, AVIAN INFLUENZA EXPECTED TO REACH FINLAND WITHIN A
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #06HELSINKI254.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
06HELSINKI254 | 2006-03-27 12:44 | 2011-04-24 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Helsinki |
VZCZCXRO2703
RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ
DE RUEHHE #0254/01 0861244
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 271244Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1678
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 HELSINKI 000254
SIPDIS
USEU FOR DKANAREK
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO KFLU ECON AMGT AEMR CASC PREL WHO FI
SUBJECT: AVIAN INFLUENZA EXPECTED TO REACH FINLAND WITHIN A
COUPLE OF WEEKS
AI ON ITS WAY
-------------
¶1. The Finnish government (GOF) is convinced that avian
influenza (AI) will spread to Finland by migratory birds
returning north. GOF says it is not a matter of "if" AI
will arrive in Finland, but rather "when." It is assumed
that the virus will be found in Finland as increasing
numbers of migratory birds return from wintering grounds
further south. Mallard ducks are spending the winter in
northern Germany and will return to Finland when the
weather gets warmer, according to Matti Aho, Director
General, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MOA). When
temperatures rise above freezing point, the ducks will
arrive, and will probably bring AI with them. GOF
officials do not expect poultry to become infected due to
the efficiency of disease prevention in poultry farms in
Finland.
PRIME MINISTER VANHANEN ON THE AI SITUATION
-------------------------------------------
¶2. At a press conference on Thursday, March 9th, Prime
Minister Matti Vanhanen said that Finns have good reason to
feel calm and should exercise common sense. He added that
easy-to-understand recommendations and advice are being
prepared on what to do if/when dead birds are found.
¶3. GOF and media have stepped up the pace of informational
announcements and articles for the public as confirmed AI
cases are revealed in neighboring Sweden, as well as in
eleven member states of the EU. Articles with practical,
helpful advice on AI causes, transmission and prevention
have been carried almost daily in major newspapers.
PESTICIDES KILLED BIRDS IN KOTKA
--------------------------------
¶4. Despite reports of 22 dead birds earlier in February
that raised local levels of attention, the GOF reported on
February 28 that tests on all bird corpses were negative
and confirmed the absence of the AI virus in any of the
dead birds found to date. The National Veterinary and Food
Research Institute (EELA) confirmed in mid March that the
birds died of parathion pesticide poisoning. (Note: As
this pesticide is banned, officials are perplexed at and
looking for its source.)
BUFFER ZONES
------------
¶5. The residents of Finland are advised to report dead
birds to the provincial veterinarian in cases of more than
five swans or ten other birds, under circumstances where
cause of death is not evident. The public is continually
reminded not to touch dead birds.
¶6. On the national level, protective buffer zones will be
set up around poultry farms in the vicinity of any AI
discovery, in order to prevent chickens, turkeys, and other
domestic fowl from being infected by wild birds. Measures
differ between locations: the same level of readiness is
not required in Helsinki, for instance, as in communities
elsewhere with large poultry farms. If dead birds are
found, the provincial veterinarian will be called, and
rescue personnel will help if needed in removing the birds.
Police will cordon off the immediate area and place warning
signs.
¶7. In addition, a protective zone of three kilometers in
diameter will be set up around the site, within which
veterinarians will examine all poultry on farms. All dead
animals will be destroyed. The transport of poultry within
the zone will be restricted, and hygiene precautions will
be stepped up: cars and footwear will be sprayed with
disinfectant. In a larger area of five kilometers from the
site, limitations on the movement of poultry will be
imposed. Dead birds will be incinerated, or in the event
of massive numbers, they could also be buried at landfill
dumps. If there are many infected birds, and an epidemic
is suspected, vaccination of domesticated birds might be
considered.
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE DECREE
------------------------------
¶8. Farmers have been mandated to keep domestic poultry
indoors from March 3 until May 31, with the provision that
this may be extended if necessary, as a precautionary
measure. On February 28, 2006, MOA brought forward a
decree ordering that all poultry in areas at risk should be
HELSINKI 00000254 002 OF 003
kept inside. Areas at risk include 160 communities,
including the Aland Islands, which receive large numbers of
water fowl during bird migration each spring. The ministry
also expanded the list of risk areas to include a number of
poultry breeding areas in Ostrobothnia, Southwest Finland
and Savo. The regulations were originally to have taken
effect on March 15th, however implementation was begun
earlier to allow the precautions to be in place before the
spring migration begins. The MOA's guidelines include
detailed instructions to veterinary professionals on how to
protect themselves from birds carrying the virus.
¶9. The ban on outdoor poultry will not cause much havoc
since most birds are kept indoors during the winter months
in Finland, with the exception of some ostriches and
pheasants. Provincial veterinarians will be allowed to
grant permission to deviate from the orders to keep birds
indoors only in exceptional situations. This could take
place if keeping the birds indoors would significantly hurt
their well-being.
AVIAN INFLUENZA HOTLINE
-----------------------
¶10. An AI hotline began operating on February 21. GOF set
up the service to alleviate fears over the spread of the
H5N1 virus. The staff of the MOA as well that of the
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (MoSAH) gives updated
information on AI on 0800-02277, Monday through Friday
10.00 AM - 06.00 PM. Questions can also be sent by e-mail
to the address lintuinfluenssa@mmm.fi. More information
about AI can be found on various authorities' web sites on
the Internet: MOA: www.mmm.fi/lintuinfluenssa ; EELA:
www.eela.fi ; MoSAH: www.stm.fi , National Public Health
Institute KTL: www.ktl.fi and National Food Agency,
Finland: www.elintarvikevirasto.fi .
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AVIAN INFLUENZA DRILL
---------------------------------------------
¶11. The MOA released the results of a drill held on March 9
to test GOF officials' readiness for handling AI and aimed
at testing how well different officials would work together
in an outbreak of AI. The Government and several ministry
officials tested both decision-making and communications in
the case of an emergency. During the drill, officials
practiced responding to a situation where the AI disease is
found in both wild birds and poultry in Finland. In the
scenario, hundreds of dead geese were found at a trailer
park in a coastal area of West Finland. On the same
evening, a poultry farm in the west of Finland reported a
number of bird deaths, shortly after birds had been
transported from the farm for slaughter. In the simulated
exercise, all birds on the farm were "destroyed," and a
three-kilometer quarantine zone was set up around the farm;
under the regulations, birds cannot be moved to or from
poultry farms within the zone.
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
----------------------
¶12. The largest landfill in the Helsinki area, at Ammassuo
in Espoo, will be covered by a large mesh fence to keep
seagulls away. It is estimated that up to about 10,000
seagulls visit the Ammassuo landfill on a daily basis. A
key aim of the planned cage is to protect people working at
the landfill against birds that might be infected by AI.
Officials at the Helsinki Metropolitan Area Council (YTV)
emphasize that fears of AI are not the only reason for the
move; seagulls are an annual problem at the dump. They can
spread salmonella and cause other types of hygiene problems
as well. A cage suspended by poles and cables about 20
meters high is to be set up on top of the landfill. Plans
are to put it up in April and May before the seagull
migration.
¶13. Retail traders in Finland are being urged to prevent
birds from settling on shopping carts which are left
outside shops and stores by staff and customers. The
Finnish Food Marketing Association has asked stores to be
more vigilant in an attempt to reduce the risk of AI and
food contamination. Retailers are also being told they
should ensure that birds do not enter food stores through
windows or storage areas.
THE NATIONAL INFLUENZA PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS PLAN
--------------------------------------------- ----
¶14. The National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan was
released on March 15, one week later than earlier
announced. A shorter version of the plan (in English) can
HELSINKI 00000254 003 OF 003
be found on MoSAH webpage: "Finnish National Preparedness
Plan for an Influenza Epidemic"
http://www.stm.fi/Resource.phx/vastt/tervh/li ntuflunssa/kie
liversiot.htx
¶15. A key objective of the plan is to ensure equal services
to the population in different areas of the country even in
the exceptional conditions of a pandemic, although
organization and implementation may differ from region to
region. MoSAH has plans to vaccinate all Finns if a
pandemic of bird flu breaks out. However, the question of
who gets inoculated first depends on the seriousness of the
situation.
¶16. According to the preparedness plan, first in line for
the vaccine will be health care personnel caring for
patients who have caught the disease. If the pandemic
proves to be as serious as the Spanish Flu in 1918,
inoculations of the whole population would begin, starting
with the youngest, and proceeding to older age groups.
Babies as young as six months could be given the shots. If
the pandemic is of a moderate type, such as the Asian Flu
of 1957, or the Hong Kong Flu of 1968, the first to get the
vaccine would be those aged 65 and over, as well as those
considered at risk because of existing ailments.
¶17. The National Emergency Supply Agency has 1.3 million
doses of the Tamiflu influenza medication in stock as well
as the same medication, oseltamivir phosphate, in powdered
bulk form. The target set by the preparedness plan is that
during a pandemic, anyone infected would be treated within
48 hours.
¶18. The Council of State has further decided that in order
to test the appropriate operation of the government
management systems a pandemic exercise will be organized on
April 20, 2006. Additionally, at the end of 2006, when the
update of provincial plans has been completed, their
appropriateness will be tested through an exercise
specifically designed for assessing the operation of
Provincial Offices and regional levels of different
administrative sectors. Based on lessons learned from this
exercise, the National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness plan
will be updated as appropriate, and the revised plan will
be tested in a national preparedness exercise to be
organized during 2007.
FINLAND ORDERS 5.2 MILLION H5N1 VACCINE DOSES
---------------------------------------------
¶19. On Thursday 3/23/2006 the Finnish National Public
Health Institute (KTL) signed an agreement to buy 5.2
million vaccine doses for AI, enough to cover the entire
population. The order, from the Dutch group Solvay
Pharmaceuticals, will cost 20.8 million euros (25 million
dollars). The vaccine production is planned to start in the
fall, with the clinical testing to establish the vaccine's
exact formula and dosage to be carried out in Finland in
the coming months.
¶20. In addition, KTL has made an advance reservation deal
with Solvay to buy 5.5 million doses of a more targeted AI
vaccine. However, that vaccine cannot be developed until
an actual pandemic would break out.
WARE