|
|
|
Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-05-07
CONTENTS
[01] Health Minister on swine flu
[01] Health Minister on swine flu
Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos said on Wednesday that "neither
slackness, nor exaggeration" is the stance being observed by his
ministry regarding the risk of swine flu spreading to Greece, a stance
that was praised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday.
Briefing the Parliamentary Social Affairs Committee on the appearance
of the new virus, Avramopoulos invoked assessments made by the WHO on
the serious possibility of the handling of an epidemic at global level,
since the virus changes and without a dramatic increase in mortality,
similar to that concerning the "Spanish flu" in 1918, being ruled out.
In this framework, Greece is moving to tackle the worst scenario.
"It is very possible thay we may have the first case in our country as
well. The basic principle is the truth, transparency, information. We
do not play games with these issues," Avramopoulos said and added that
"I have briefed the prime minister who considered the issue as being of
primary importance. All actions regarding the level of prevention have
already been implemented and we are operating at a level of
preparation, of the implementation of all the necessary measures to
handle the worst scenario."
Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos
|
