No H5N1 in Moldova – SIS

The Information and Security Service (SIS) of the Republic of Moldova declares that according to available data there is no record of H5N1 on the territory of RM. SIS is the last one to respond to the solicitation of the IPN News Agency within an investigation on the possibility of the bird flu’s appearance in Moldova. SIS informs that it “monitors the situation within its competences” and that “the issue was discussed at the meetings of the Antiepidemics Extraordinary Republican Commission, preventive measures being permanently undertaken.” A month ago, the IPN News Agency has solicited to the Parliament, the Government, the ministries of Health and Social Protection, and of Agriculture, WHO, the Academy of Science and to the Information and Security Service answers to several questions regarding the potential presence of the avian influenza on the territory of the republic. The interest was triggered by the events from the neighbor country, Romania, where new foci of bird flu were found, considered by the Romanian authorities as threats to the national security. The most of the institutions relied on already known information spread by profile services and declared that till present no cases of bird flu were registered. Thus, all those 8 authorities claim that there is no track of H5N1 at present within the country’s boundaries. Dr. Bernardus Ganter, Regional Adviser on Communicable Disease Surveillance, WHO Regional Office for Europe, said it is very important to verify whether the information on the lack of bird flu is not concealed, especially on the farms. Dr. Bernardus Ganter expressed confidence that in case the disease will appear in Moldova, the authorities will solicit to WHO expertise and assistance to fully investigate the case.