Ukraine- H1N1 Outbreak October 27 2009 - November 30 2009

[terra]

Re: Ukraine- Pandemic Influenza - Ministry of Health says 255,000 cases & 70 deaths

why NATO? :O

http://www.delfi.ua/news/daily/news/nato-nachnet-lechit-ukrainu-ot-grippa.d?id=582497&l=fplead

google translation:

In response to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko Euro-Atlantic Response Coordination Center disaster of the International Secretariat of NATO issued a special circular situational among its members and partners of the Alliance, which contains detailed information on the status of the situation in Ukraine in connection with the spread of a flu epidemic and the urgent needs our state in this regard. It is reported by the press office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

As of November 2, in response to the circular of the International Secretariat of NATO, members of the Alliance have begun to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Poland and Slovakia have already had the first humanitarian assistance, in particular the 200 000 medical respirators and masks, the drug "Tamiflu", special glasses, etc.

It is expected that in the near future, in accordance with the Euro-Atlantic information clearing a number of other NATO member countries will have humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine.

[alert]

Re: Ukraine- Pandemic Influenza - Ministry of Health says 255,000 cases & 70 deaths

Another ProMed Russian post.

http://promedmail.org/pls/otn/f?p=2400:1001:903841171724133::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1090,79904

The epidemic of pandemic influenza in Ukraine (22 cases of influenza in California, 67 died of pneumonia) - Ukraine (Lviv, Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi region) (3) ***************** ************************************************** ************************ (01) Date: 02 ноября 2009 From: ProMED-mail Corr. ВМ Источник: ИА "podrobnosti.ua", 02 ноября 2009 [Модератор НП] http://podrobnosti.ua/accidents/2009/11/02/640721.html Минздрав подтвердил 22 случая гриппа А/H1N1 и 67 смертей -------------------------------------------------------- Число погибших от эпидемии гриппа в Украине достигло 67 человек. BM Source: IA "podrobnosti.ua", 02 ноября 2009 [Moderator NP] http://podrobnosti.ua/accidents/2009/11/02/640721.html Ministry of Health has confirmed 22 cases of influenza A/H1N1 and 67 deaths --- -------------------------------------------------- --- The death toll from the flu epidemic in Ukraine has reached 67 people. Об этом на пресс-конференции сообщил первый заместитель министра здравоохранения Василий Лазоришинец, сообщает РБК-Украина. В частности, 29 человек умерли во Львовской области, 14 - в Тернопольской, 12 - в Ивано-Франковской, 5 - в Черновицкой. This at a press conference, said deputy Minister of Health Mr. Lazoryshynets, reports RBC-Ukraine. In particular, 29 people died in the Lviv region, 14 - in Ternopil, 12 - Ivano-Frankivsk, 5 - in Chernivtsi. Первый заместитель министра добавил, что все эти смерти "однотипны". First Deputy Minister added that all these deaths "are similar. По предварительной информации, их первопричиной стал вирус гриппа А/H1N1, но исследования еще продолжаются. По словам замминистра, официально подтверждены 22 случая заболевания гриппом А/H1N1. Вместе с тем Василий Лазоришинец подчеркнул, что согласно рекомендации Всемирной организации здравоохранения, если в регионе выявлен хотя бы один случай заболевания, вызванного вирусом А/Н1N1, то во всем регионе проводится лечение по протоколу именно против данного заболевания. В целом, по его словам, в Украине 250 тысяч граждан болеют ОРВИ и гриппом, из них 15 тысяч находятся на стационарном лечении, 17 человек - в реанимации. Тем не менее, премьер-министр Юлия Тимошенко сегодня заявила, что в Украине имеет место эпидемия сезонного гриппа. According to preliminary information, its primary cause was the influenza A/H1N1 virus, but research is still ongoing. According to the deputy minister, formally confirmed 22 cases of influenza A/H1N1. However, Mr. Lazoryshynets emphasized that, according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, if the region is identified at least one case of disease caused by a virus A/N1N1, then the entire region, we treat the protocol precisely against this disease. On the whole, he said, in Ukraine 250 thousand people suffering from SARS and avian influenza (translation error: liekly should read "ARVI and seasonal influenza", of which 15 thousand are hospitalized , 17 people - in the intensive care unit. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said today that Ukraine is an epidemic of seasonal influenza. "Я еще раз хочу сказать - что это не так, как у нас сегодня рассказывают, что эпидемия "свиного" гриппа. У нас есть эпидемия простого обычного гриппа, которая в этот сезон проходит всегда", - отметила Тимошенко. Первый вице-премьер-министр Украины Александр Турчинов утром в понедельник сообщил, что от гриппа в Украине умерло 64 человека. В свою очередь главный санитарный врач Украины Александр Беловол подчеркнул: на сегодняшний день нет оснований предполагать, что в Украине есть случаи заболевания легочной или какой-либо другой чумой. О симптомах заболевания гриппом А/H1N1 и способах защиты от него читайте здесь. Все новости вы сможете узнать из вечерних информационных http://podrobnosti.ua/accidents/2009/11/02/640721.html (02) От: ПроМЕД-мэйл Кор ВМ Источник: ИА: "rynok.biz", 02 ноября 2009 [Модератор НП] http://rynok.biz/rss/a/2009/11/02/St...zabolevaemosti Статистика заболеваемости по областям Украины. "Once again, I want to say - it's not like we have today tell us that the epidemic of" swine flu. We have an epidemic of simple ordinary flu, which this season is always, "- said Tymoshenko. First Vice-Premier Minister Oleksandr Turchinov on Monday morning announced that the flu in Ukraine, 64 people died. In turn, the chief sanitary doctor of Ukraine Alexander Belovolov emphasized: to date there is no reason to suppose that in Ukraine there are cases of pulmonary disease or any other plague. the symptoms of influenza A/H1N1 and how to protect it here. All the news you can learn from the evening of information http://podrobnosti.ua/accidents/2009/11/02/640721.html (02) From: ProMED-mail Cor BM Source: IA: "rynok.biz", 02 ноября 2009 [Moderator NP] http://rynok.biz/rss/a/2009/11/02/St...zabolevaemosti Morbidity statistics on regions of Ukraine. Список ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Область Количество больных гриппом или ОРВИ Крым 845 человек Винницкая область 2797 человек Волынская область 2419 человек Днепропетровская область 2167 человек Донецкая область 2550 человек Житомирская область 927 человек Закарпатская область 2444 человека Запорожская область 773 человека Ивано-Франковская область 27091 человек Киевская область 4107 человек Кировоградская область 290 человек Луганская область нет сведений Львовская область 69176 человек Николаевская область 992 человека Одесская область 1414 человека Полтавская область 1369 человек Ривненская область 5727 человек Сумская область 176 человек Тернопольская область 39046 человек Харьковская область 1494 человека Херсонская область 789 человек Хмельницкая область 1866 человек Черкасская область 1588 человек Черновицкая область 12980 человек Черниговская область 1652 человек Город Киев 6357 человек Город Севастополь 395 человек Всего 191491 человек Согласно оперативным данным Минздрава Украины, в стране зафиксированы больше 191 тыс. больных гриппом или ОРВИ. List ------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Number of patients Field influenza or ARI 845 people of Crimea Vinnitsa region Volyn region 2,797 people in 2419 people Dnipropetrovsk region Donetsk region in 2167 people 2550 people Zhitomirska 927 Zakarpatska 2444 Human Rights Zaporizka 773 Ivano-Frankivsk region 27091 people 4107 people Kyiv region Kirovograd region Lugansk region 290 there is no evidence Lviv region Mykolaiv region 69,176 people 992 people Odeska 1414 Rights Poltava region Rivne region 1,369 people 5,727 people 176 people Sumy region Ternopil region Kharkiv region 39046 people 1494 people Kherson region, 789 people Khmelnitska 1,866 people 1,588 people Cherkasy region Chernihiv region Chernihiv region 12980 people 1652 people 6357 people Kyiv City Sevastopol City 395 Results 191,491 people According to the operative data of Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the country recorded more than 191 thousand patients with influenza or SARS. Из них 83 тыс. - дети. Of these, 83 thousand - children. Госпитализировано больше 7 тыс. человек. Hospitalized more than 7 thousand people. 123 человека находится в тяжелом состоянии. 123 people are in serious condition. В результате эпидемии умерло 60 человек. Печальное первенство по заболеванию удерживают четыре области: Львовская, Тернопольская, Ивано-Франковская и Черновицкая области, сообщает ЛИГА. [Комментарий Кор ВМ. As a result, 60 people died of the epidemic. Sad championship disease is four regions: Lviv, Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi regions, reports the League. [Comment Cor VM. Продолжается в своем развитии эпидемия гриппа в Западных регионах Украины. Всего заболело гриппом и ОРВИ 191 491 человек. Continues in its development a flu epidemic in the western regions of Ukraine. All the flu and colds 191 491 people. Из них подтвержден калифорнийский пандемический грипп у 22 человек и 67 человек умерло от пневмонии. Проводятся проивоэпидемические мероприятия. Of those confirmed Californian pandemic flu in 22 people and 67 people died from pneumonia. Proivoepidemicheskie activities are conducted. Введен карантин в 9 пострадавших областях Украины. В стране объявлен "масочный режим". Quarantined in the 9-affected areas of Ukraine. The country has declared a "mask mode". По имеющейся в СМИ информации Украине уже оказали гуманитарную помощь, в первую очередь медикаментами, соседние страны - Польша, Румыния, Россия, Венгрия. According to the media information in Ukraine has already provided humanitarian assistance, primarily medicine, neighboring countries - Poland, Romania, Russia, Hungary. В страну завезли 12,5 тон прпотивовирусного препароата Тамифлю, который тут же был распределен и отправлен в наиболее затронутые эпидемией гриппа регионы страны. In the country delivered 12.5 tons prpotivovirusnogo preparoata Tamiflu, which was immediately distributed and posted in the most affected by the flu epidemic regions of the country. Сегодня ожидается прибытие бригады специалистов ВОЗ, которые окажут консультативную и практическую помощь украинским медикам в борьбе с эпидемией гриппа. Today is expected to attend the WHO team of specialists who will advise and practical assistance to Ukrainian physicians in combating the epidemic of influenza. - Cor VM] Смотрите также: 01-NOV-2009 / PRO/RUS> Грипп А/Калифорния/04/2009(13 случаев, 1 летальный) - Украина 20091101.10295 7 - Cor VM] See also: 01-NOV-2009 / PRO / RUS> Influenza A/Kaliforniya/04/2009 (13 cases, 1 fatal) - Ukraine 20091101.10295 7

[alert]

Re: Ukraine- Pandemic Influenza - Ministry of Health says 255,000 cases & 70 deaths

This article gives a fatality count of 71, an increase of only one death since the last report, but mentions and increase of seven in Lviv alone. Something is wrong with the count.

http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/51797/

Tymoshenko: Seventy-one people die of flu, acute respiratory infections
Today at 12:12 | Interfax-Ukraine Seventy-one people have died of flu and acute respiratory infections in Ukraine since the start of the epidemic, according to Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenk

She presented a government report on the current situation with the spread of the flu epidemic in Ukraine at a parliament meeting on Tuesday.

Tymoshenko said that 19, 198 people had caught flu, and over 236, 000 had acute respiratory infections as of November 2.

Eight of the nine regions (apart from Volyn region), in which quarantine was imposed, are seeing signs of stabilization or a reduction in the disease rate, Tymoshenko said.

She also said that death toll from flu and acute respiratory infections in Lviv region had risen to 37 as of early on Tuesday, compared to 30 fatalities registered on Monday. The Health Ministry has yet to publish a report on the epidemiological situation as of early on Tuesday.

[alert]

Re: Ukraine- Pandemic Influenza - Ministry of Health says 255,000 cases & 70 deaths

More information about Lviv, including an increase to over 104,000 cases.

http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/51784/

Death toll from flu, acute respiratory infections in Lviv region rises to 37
Today at 10:39 | Interfax-Ukraine Lviv, November 3 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Thirty-seven people have died of flu and acute respiratory infections in Lviv region as of 0700 on Tuesday, the press service of Lviv Regional State Administration has told Interfax-Ukraine.

The overall number of patients is 104, 019, including 49, 313 children aged below 14.

A total of 2, 875 people have been hospitalized, including 1, 197 children aged below 14.

Over 30 people died of flu and acute respiratory infections in Lviv region as of 1700 on Monday, the Health Ministry said. Seventy fatalities were registered in Ukraine at that moment.

[Evelyn]

Re: Ukraine- Pandemic Influenza - Ministry of Health says 255,000 cases & 70 deaths

On the whole, he said, in Ukraine 250 thousand people suffering from SARS and avian influenza (translation error: liekly should read "ARVI and seasonal influenza", of which 15 thousand are hospitalized , 17 people - in the intensive care unit.

Correct--it does say "ARVI" (ОРВИ).

[alert]

Re: Ukraine- Pandemic Influenza - Ministry of Health says 255,000 cases & 70 deaths

And another ProMed Portuguese post - note the comments by the moderator.

http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f?p=2400:1001:4013114684754060::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1050,79909

Archive Number 20091102.3782
Published Date 02-NOV-2009
Subject PRO / EDR> Influenza pork - Ukraine (02)


SWINE INFLUENZA - UKRAINE (02)
*****************************
A message / Una mensaje / of ProMED-mail <http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail and a program of / es un programa de la International Society for
Infectious Diseases <http://www.isid.org>

Date: Monday / Lunes, 02 November / Noviembre 2009
From: ProMED-PORT <Promed-Port@promedmail.org>
Source: TSF [02.11.2009] http://tsf.sapo.pt/PaginaInicial/Int...ent_id=1407509

Ukrainian President calls for help to combat the epidemic of influenza A

President of Ukraine asked for help from neighbors and allies to combat the outbreak of influenza A in the country. In a letter, Viktor Yushchenko laid out a "list of drugs and equipment necessities" that the country needs.

The president of Ukraine requested, on Sunday, emergency assistance to neighbors and allies to enable it to combat the epidemic of influenza A that is affecting the country, where 60 people have died of this virus and acute respiratory distress in a week .

A letter from Viktor Yushchenko to the USA, European Union, NATO and the neighboring countries of Ukraine "contains a list of drugs and equipment first need the country needs to effectively fight the epidemic."

"The existing threat to national security of Ukraine, we can not only neutralize our efforts, requires that I go to close friends and strategic partners with an urgent request for help, 'says a statement from the Ukrainian presidency.

Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Russia and Poland have already responded to this call the head of Ukraine, where 184,919 people suffer from respiratory disease, 7383 of whom were hospitalized, said the Ukrainian Ministry of Health
Comment:

[Interesting. It seems that there is an increased incidence and mortality in Ukraine - and it will be proven by numbers? Or is it a general panic determined by a throng higher than expected health services.

If it is true that the incidence and mortality are actually higher, it could indicate a mutation in the virus - ljs]

[see:
Swine influenza - Ukraine 20091030.3751]
-------------------------------------------------
ProMED-Port

[Corn]

Re: Ukraine- Pandemic Influenza - Ministry of Health says 255,000 cases &amp; 70 deaths

why NATO? :O

http://www.delfi.ua/news/daily/news/nato-nachnet-lechit-ukrainu-ot-grippa.d?id=582497&l=fplead

google translation:

In response to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko Euro-Atlantic Response Coordination Center disaster of the International Secretariat of NATO issued a special circular situational among its members and partners of the Alliance, which contains detailed information on the status of the situation in Ukraine in connection with the spread of a flu epidemic and the urgent needs our state in this regard. It is reported by the press office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

As of November 2, in response to the circular of the International Secretariat of NATO, members of the Alliance have begun to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Poland and Slovakia have already had the first humanitarian assistance, in particular the 200 000 medical respirators and masks, the drug "Tamiflu", special glasses, etc.

It is expected that in the near future, in accordance with the Euro-Atlantic information clearing a number of other NATO member countries will have humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine.

IIRC, Ukraine is a candidate for NATO membership or has started the process of becoming a NATO member. This has greatly angered Putin of Russia and the cause of much friction.

[alert]

Re: Ukraine- Pandemic Influenza - Ministry of Health says 255,000 cases &amp; 70 deaths

Reports of up to 3,000 deaths (unconfirmed) already are leaking out.

.

This is likely an exaggeration, but look in this thread. There are reports of deaths in Odessa and Kiev from a couple days ago that are still not in official counts. The death toll in this outbreak is much higher than 71.

Also, if 15,000 are hospitalized, many of them may die in upcoming days.

[alert]

Re: Ukraine- Pandemic Influenza - Ministry of Health says 255,000 cases &amp; 70 deaths

http://www.ua-reporter.com/novosti/68474

Excursion to Ternopil to Cherkassy children over flu
03.11.2009 (09:42) 03.11.2009 (09:42)
В Украине эпидемия гриппа не остановила детей отведать Тернопольскую область In Ukraine, the epidemic of influenza did not stop the children taste the Ternopil region
6 детей из Звенигородского района Черкасской области госпитализированы с температурой, у двух детей врачи диагностировали грипп типа А. 6 Children of the Zvenigorod district of Cherkasy region hospitalized with a fever, have two children, doctors diagnosed influenza type A.


Все они вернулись с экскурсии в Тернопольской области, - сообщил главный санитарный врач Черкасской области Виталий Самотуга. They all returned from tours in the Ternopil region, - the chief medical officer of Cherkassy region Vitaly Samotuga.

Всего на экскурсию в Тернопольщину ездило 30 детей, отметил он. Results on a trip to Ternopil ezdilo 30 children, he said.

Как добавил Самотуга, госпитализированных детей лечат, остальные находятся под наблюдением медиков. As added Samotuga, hospitalized children treated, the rest are under the supervision of doctors.

Кроме того, во все детские учреждения интернатного типа направлено указание улучшить питание детей и ввести ограничения на посещения. In addition, all boarding institutions sent instructions to improve the nutrition of children and to impose restrictions on visits.



В Закарпатье на грипп и ОРВИ заболели 11605 человек, среди них 2595 детей In Transcarpathia influenza and acute respiratory ill 11605 people, among them 2595 children

[alert]

Re: Ukraine- Pandemic Influenza - Ministry of Health says 255,000 cases &amp; 70 deaths

http://gazeta.ua/index.php?id=314293&lang=ru

WHO mission arrived to Ukraine to assess the extent of the epidemic
9 экспертов уже работают 9 experts are already working
03.11.2009 14:42 03.11.2009 14:42
В Украине начала работу группа экспертов Всемирной организации здравоохранения по борьбе с гриппом. In Ukraine, started a group of experts of the World Health Organization to combat the flu. Об этом на пресс-конференции в Министерстве здравоохранения сообщил руководитель миссии Юкка Пуккила . This at a press conference at the Ministry of Health informed the head of mission Jukka Buk-gu.

"Группа экспертов прибыла вчера вечером, и сегодня в 7 утра начала свою работу", - сказал он. "The group of experts arrived last night and today at 7 am start its work" - he said. Также Пуккила отметил, что группа прибыла в Украину по приглашению правительства страны. Buk-gu also noted that the group has arrived in Ukraine on the invitation of the Government.

"Группа прибыла для того, чтобы разобраться в причинах распространения болезн "The group arrived in order to understand the causes of the disease

Общество страдает от избытка информации о гриппе - психологи Society suffers from too much information about the flu - Psychologists


и в Украине и в ситуации с гриппом А/Н1N1", - сказал он. and in Ukraine and in the situation with influenza A/N1N1 "- he said.

По словам первого заместителя министра здравоохранения Василия Лазоришинца, группа состоит из 9 человек. According to Deputy Health Minister Basil Lazorishintsa, the group consists of 9 members.

Он отметил, что в группу входят анестезиолог, инфекционист, 2 эпидемиолога, 2 вирусолога, специалист по организации помощи и другие. He noted that the group includes an anesthesiologist, infectious diseases, 2 epidemiologist, 2 virologist, an expert on aid agencies and others.

Лазоришинец добавил, что это граждане Великобритании, Германии, Дании, России, Швейцарии и Швеции. Lazoryshynets added that the citizens of Great Britain, Germany, Denmark, Russia, Sweden and Switzerland.

Кроме того, первый замминистра добавил, что на данный момент Винницкая и Черниговская области перешли эпидемиологический порог по заболеваемости гриппом и ОРВИ. In addition, the first deputy minister added that at the moment Vinnytsia and Chernihiv region crossed the threshold on the incidence of epidemic influenza and SARS. Также он добавил, что к порогу заболеваемости приближается Киев. He added that the threshold incidence approaching Kiev.

Напомним, что Министерство иностранных дел просит Европейскую комиссию и НАТО предоставить Украине гуманитарную помощь в связи с эпидемией гриппа А/H1N1. Recall that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requests the European Commission, NATO and Ukraine to provide humanitarian assistance in connection with the epidemic of influenza A/H1N1.

ForUm ForUm

[sharon sanders]

Re: Ukraine- Pandemic Influenza - Ministry of Health says 255,000 cases &amp; 70 deaths

received via email -

Over 10 percent of medical personnel in Lviv have flu and acute respiratory infections

Today at 17:06
Lviv, November 3 (Interfax-Ukraine) - A total of 760 medical employees have come down with the flu and acute respiratory infections, chief of the healthcare department of Lviv city council, Volodymyr Zub, said at a press conference on Tuesday

"Fifteen of them are receiving in-patient treatment," Zub said.

According to him, in particular, 198 doctors, 312 nurses and 257 other medical personnel have flu and acute respiratory infections.

He said that currently over 10% of the staff of the city's medical establishments are ill, and moreover, their number is growing.

http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/51826/

[sharon sanders]

Re: Ukraine- Pandemic Influenza - Ministry of Health says 255,000 cases &amp; 70 deaths

received via email -

Some discrepancy in number of confirmed - not sure what is going on: maybe a misquote of Hartl's statement, or, only 1 case confirmed by WHO investigators who landed there yesterday, or, a complete manipulation of the situation by some Ukrainian authorities....????


Swine flu scare tightens borders around Ukraine


November 03, 2009 10:50 AM EST


LVIV, Ukraine — Russia and Slovakia have tightened their borders with Ukraine as the World Health Organization investigates a suspected swine flu outbreak in the country.

Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko says the flu death toll has climbed to 71 since the outbreak struck last week in western Ukraine.

WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl says although only one fatality was a confirmed case of swine flu, the government was right to close all schools this week.


Slovakia, which lies on Ukraine's western border, closed two of its five border crossings with Ukraine on Tuesday to keep the infection from spreading.


In Russia, the Health Ministry said it would examine anyone crossing the border from Ukraine and quarantine people with severe symptoms.

http://www.ajc.com/health/swine-flu-scare-tightens-184477.html

[sharon sanders]

Re: Ukraine- Pandemic Influenza - Ministry of Health says 255,000 cases &amp; 70 deaths

interesting the link above now says this -


November 03, 2009 11:11 AM EST


LVIV, Ukraine — Russia and Slovakia tightened their borders with Ukraine on Tuesday as the World Health Organization began investigating a suspected swine flu outbreak.

The death toll from flu has climbed to 71 since the outbreak struck last week in the western city of Ternopil, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said. But blood tests have yet to determine how many of these deaths were from the new and aggressive H1N1 strain.

As a precaution, schools and universities across the country will remain closed this week, and officials urged people in western Ukraine to travel only when necessary and stay away from public places.


Slovakia, which lies on Ukraine's western border, closed two of its five border crossings with Ukraine to keep the infection from spreading. In Russia, where there have been 14 confirmed swine flu deaths, the Health Ministry said it would examine anyone crossing the border from Ukraine and quarantine people with severe symptoms.


The World Health Organization, which sent a team to Kiev on Monday to assist local health officials with the epidemic, said the precautions taken so far were reasonable considering the potential threat.


"By closing schools and canceling mass gatherings in the early stages of an event ... you can slow down the transmission of the virus," WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl said by phone from the organization's headquarters in Geneva. "So far there is only one confirmed death (from H1N1 in Ukraine), but there is a big event going on there."


In the western city of Lviv, the government has urged cafes, cinemas and theaters to close indefinitely, and roughly a third of the people in the streets on Tuesday wore surgical masks to avoid inhaling the virus, as did the Ukrainian guards on the border with Belarus.


But the emergency ward of the central hospital in Lviv saw no shortage of available beds, even as patients trickled in complaining of flu symptoms on Tuesday. All of those accepted for treatment were quarantined.

Compared to last year, the total number of flu deaths in Ukraine has actually dropped by 10 percent, the UNIAN news agency quoted Deputy Health Minister Vasily Lazorishinets as saying.


This led some Ukrainian officials and medical experts to accuse the government of exaggerating the outbreak for political gain ahead of presidential elections to be held in January.


In January, Tymoshenko and President Viktor Yushchenko will face off for the presidency. That election could overturn the 2004 Orange Revolution that swept a pro-Western government to power in Ukraine for the first time. Leading in the polls is Viktor Yanukovich, who was beaten in 2005 by Yushchenko, but has pulled ahead on a platform that emphasizes closer ties with Russia.

[Giuseppe]

Re: Ukraine- Pandemic Influenza - Ministry of Health says 255,000 cases &amp; 70 deaths

WHO - Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, Ukraine - update 1

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, Ukraine - update 1

3 November 2009


According to the Ministry of Health of the Ukraine, the country has now recorded more than 250,000 cases of influenza-like illness, with 235 patients requiring intensive care.

As of 2 November, 70 deaths from acute respiratory illness have been reported.

Regions in western Ukraine continue to show the highest rates of acute respiratory illness/influenza-like illness.

The level of activity in the Kyiv area is also increasing rapidly.

Laboratory testing in Ukraine has confirmed pandemic H1N1 influenza virus in samples taken from patients in two of the most affected regions.

As the pandemic virus has rapidly become the dominant influenza strain worldwide, it can be assumed that most cases of influenza in Ukraine are caused by the H1N1 virus.

As elsewhere, WHO strongly recommends early treatment with the antiviral drugs, oseltamivir or zanamivir, for patients who meet treatment criteria, even in the absence of a positive laboratory test confirming H1N1 infection.

At the request of the government, a multi-disciplinary team of nine experts has been deployed by WHO and arrived in Kyiv yesterday evening.

Discussions with the Minister of Health were held this morning to brief the team.

Team members will now begin field investigations to characterize the clinical and epidemiological features of the outbreak.

Work will initially begin in Lviv region, where reported numbers of cases showing severe manifestations of acute respiratory illness have been especially high.

Two virologists on the team have started working at the National Influenza Centre and the laboratories of the Central Sanitary and Epidemiological Station in Kyiv to provide diagnostic support.

Samples sent by the Ministry of Health were received today by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, Mill Hill in London, UK.

The laboratory will conduct confirmatory tests and further characterize the virus.

Many questions remain to be answered.

The outbreak in Ukraine may be indicative of how the virus can behave in the northern hemisphere during the winter season, particularly in health care settings typically found in Eastern Europe.

Given the potential significance of this outbreak as an early warning signal, WHO commends the government of Ukraine for its transparent reporting and open sharing of samples.

WHO continues to recommend no closing of borders and no restrictions on international travel, including to Ukraine. Experience shows that such measures will not stop further spread of the virus.
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<cite cite="http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_11_03/en/index.html">WHO | Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, Ukraine - update 1</cite>

[sharon sanders]

Re: Ukraine- Pandemic Influenza - Ministry of Health says 255,000 cases &amp; 70 deaths

Looks like AP misquoted Hartl. WHO says "..virus in samples taken from patients.." plural