Ukraine Has First H1N1 Swine Flu Death and they Shut the Country Down!
Ukraine Shuts Schools, Bans Public Events Over Flu:
KYIV (Reuters) — Ukraine has closed schools, banned all public events, and imposed restrictions on people’s movements around the country for a three-week period after confirming its first death from H1N1 swine flu.
“All educational institutions without exception…will be switched on to a three-week holiday period,” Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko announced. She indicated this period could be extended if it was deemed necessary.
“Apart from this, we will make the decision to cancel all mass meetings…for three weeks,” she said at an emergency government session.
“We will introduce a special system to stop unnecessary travel by people from one region to another,” she added.
Earlier, the Health Ministry confirmed that one of 30 deaths in Western Ukraine since mid-October that had been attributed to flu and pneumonia had been caused by the H1N1 strain, commonly known as swine flu.
“So far, not all the dead were tested [for H1N1],” a Health Ministry spokeswoman said. “However, tests on one dead [person] proved positive.”
“We are considering [imposing] a quarantine not only in the west, but also across the country because the virus is spreading very fast,” Health Minister Vasyl Knyazevych told a news conference, without giving details.
Glad I got in Ukraine and back out when I did a week ago. I may have been stuck for a while…
Think maybe this has to do more with control of people at election time than the flu?
Update: Seems that I hear that 11 have died from confirmed swine flu cases. That is eleven of the 30 or so reported deaths. Not eleven new deaths…
Windows to Russia!
comments always welcome.
^_^
What on earth are they doing? This is the sort of reaction required by the Black Plague! More people die from broken finger nails than Ukraine has experienced so far from H1N1!
Three weeks! I bet the teachers won't get paid either, so it's probably less about the elections and more about budget!
You had the same reaction that I did!
I think your reason is better than what I thought of. You are right this could even go to the end of the year. Yulia said that this may be extended. Cut budget money under the disguise of national emergency. They say that the people are lined up deep to get those paper masks to ware.
Anyone say panic…
Kyle
Now if you were to dig and find a Ms Y Timoshenko among the shareholders of the paper mask factory…….
To be honest, this was my first impression when I heard this … the only justification for this is that someone is positioned to make a lot of money on it. Time to call some friends in Kiev and see what's really going on
You idiots, there have been 37 deaths from an UNKNOWN virus in the past 3 days, they have been scrambling to keep it under control, hence the closing down of everything in the country. Stop listening to what the media tells you about h1n1, eventually they will pull a double cross.
Here is a REAL article about it.
http://mignews.com.ua/en/articles/376537.html
Because you probably wont bother reading the article:
“As of 04:00 p.m. on October 29 the number of people sick with influenza and acute respiratory viral infections in these regions has reached 37, 923 people, 951 out of them have been hospitalized. “
Dddddddddddd – please don't be abusive.
Thanks for the article – if you take the Reuters story by itself, you can understand my reaction – the article you quote does indeed put an entirely different perspective on the news.
Number of victims to unknown virus growing! State of emergency to be imposed in Ukraine? (updated at 11:13 am)
Yesterday, on October 29 some media reported that allegedly in the Ternopil Region cases of ill people with typhus were registered, and that militarized detachments limited entrance and departure from the territory of the Ternopil Region. However, the Public Relations Center of the Ministry of Emergencies in the Ternopil Region denied information about it.
Yesterday, on October 29 the chief physician of the regional sanitary-epidemiological station Halyna Hrynchuk assured that Kyiv Region is ready for prophylaxis and treatment of influenza, reported Yulia Makoveeva, MIGnews.com.ua correspondent.
In the Ternopil Region 25 percents of infectiologists who worked with patients with acute respiratory viral infections are ill, the chairman of the Association of infectiologists of Ukraine Mykhaylo Andreychin reported yesterday, on October 29 at a press conference.
“One fourth of doctors had such a disease or they are ill with it now. Fortunately, they are recovering now and soon again be able to work”, – said Mykhaylo Andreychin.
Yesterday, on October 29 in Morshyn, Lviv Region a doctor from a local hospital, who contacted with patients with viral infection and visited them, died, is reported by the Deputy Chief of the Health protection department in the Lviv Region Iryna Mykytchak. According to her, a 56-year-old woman “had been previously diagnosed with pneumonia,” UNIAN reports.
The medical facilities in the Lviv region have medicines for treatment of influenza and acute respiratory infections for the three-day supply, is said in the summary of information of the General Directorate of Health Protection in the Lviv Regional at the State regional Administration, UNIAN reported.
Because of the mass acute respiratory infections residents of the Lviv Region began to buy up antiviral drugs and flu masks. Yesterday, on October 29 the Lviv residents could not purchase masks. Consequently, the director general of the Lviv regional pharmaceutical corporation Nelia Byk appealed to all residents of the region with the request not to buy drugs without the need, Glavred cites the Ministry’s report as saying.
Ministry of Health recommends using the methods of traditional and alternative medicine for prevention of acute respiratory viral diseases, including influenza, Ukrainian News cites the report of the Ministry as saying.
According to experts of Ministry of Health, filling nutrition, conditioning to the cold and frequent airing of premises are effective during the period of active disease. Also, the Ministry recommends using general health-improving and tonic immunomodulatory drugs. In addition, the Ministry recommends frequent hand washing and cover a nose and mouth with a handkerchief when coughing and sneezing.
The number of people suffering from unknown virus in Ukraine is growing. According to the latest data of Ministry of Health, 30 deaths of flu and acute respiratory viral diseases have been recorded, starting from October, 19, in the Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk and Lviv Regions. In particular, from October, 19 and until 04:00 p.m. on October 29 6 deaths have been recorded in the Ivano-Frankivsk Region, 12 – in the Lviv Region (including 1 child) and 12 – in the Ternopil Region. As of 04:00 p.m. on October 29 the number of people sick with influenza and acute respiratory viral infections in these regions has reached 37, 923 people, 951 out of them have been hospitalized.
11:04 a.m. The information has been received that 3 people died from complicated pneumonia for the last 3 days in Chernivtsi. In total, during the last day the number of people sick with acute respiratory vital infections in Chernivtsi increased from 2,623 to 4,053 people. Only in 8 cases influenza was diagnosed.
According to the doctors, now in Chernivtsi unidentified viral infection is being observed. The first results of virological studies that will identify the virus, will be ready only in two weeks.
Also, three people died in the Rivne Region, and one person- in Transcarpathia.
In total, according to unconfirmed reports, 37 people died.
In connection with this anti-epidemic measures are introduced at the Lviv railway.
A spokesman for the chairman of the Lviv regional state administration Olha Kulyk also reported that “Lviv airport and Lviv Customs are under control”.
The Ternopil Regional Council decided to hold an extraordinary session on October 30. MPs will start the meeting at 02:00 p.m. today.
The emergency antiepidemic and antiepizootic Committee will be gathered today in the Cabinet of Ministers, declared First Deputy Prime Minister Olexander Turchynov in the air of 5 Kanal.
In addition, commenting on the growth of drug prices, he appealed to owners of pharmacies: “Stop be a parasite on the problems of citizens and do not play with the prices because we will have to answer for it. We are not joking, and we will act fairly tightly.”
11:13 a.m. The information has been received that 3 people died from complicated pneumonia for the last 3 days in Chernivtsi. In total, during the last day the number of people sick with acute respiratory vital infections in Chernivtsi increased from 2,623 to 4,053 people. Only in 8 cases influenza was diagnosed.
According to the doctors, now in Chernivtsi unidentified viral infection is being observed. The first results of virological studies that will identify the virus, will be ready only in two weeks.
Also, three people died in the Rivne Region, and one person- in Transcarpathia.
In total, according to unconfirmed reports, 37 people died.
In connection with this anti-epidemic measures are introduced at the Lviv railway.
A spokesman for the chairman of the Lviv regional state administration Olha Kulyk also reported that “Lviv airport and Lviv Customs are under control”.
The Ternopil Regional Council decided to hold an extraordinary session on October 30. MPs will start the meeting at 02:00 p.m. today.
The emergency antiepidemic and antiepizootic Committee will have a conference today in the Cabinet of Ministers, declared First Deputy Prime Minister Olexander Turchynov in the air of 5 Kanal.
In addition, commenting on the growth of drug prices, he appealed to owners of pharmacies: “Stop be a parasite on the problems of citizens and do not play with the prices because we will have to answer for it. We are not joking, and we will act fairly tightly.”
Olexander Turchynov also said that the leadership of the Ternopil Regional Health Protection Department “waited for a few weeks, did not informed the center and only after they had realized they would not cope with the situation, attended the press conference, instead of immediately informing Kyiv”.
Poland is keeping an eye on the situation with a possible virus epidemic in Ukraine. But while the State Sanitary Inspectorate of the country (GIS) does not see reasons to limit or close traffic on the common border. According to the GIS, the inspection has instructed its offices in Rzeszow and Lublin strengthen sanitary control at checkpoints on the common border, as well as monitor the current situation. In addition, the service should inform travelers about the possible threat of the epidemic and prevent the need to immediately contact a doctor in case of symptoms appearing.
GIS representative noted that from October 31 to November 3 the number of Poles crossing the Polish-Ukrainian border, will increase because many people will visit the cemeteries in Ukraine.
Member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Health Lilia Hrihorovich (Our Ukraine-People’s Self-Defense faction) is convinced of the necessity to declare the state of emergency in five regions of Ukraine.
MP of the Verkhovna Rada from the Party of Regions faction, deputy chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Health Viktor Korzh says that the Ministry of Health is not ready to struggle against flu and acute respiratory viral infections epidemic.
Director of the Ukrainian Center for influenza and respiratory infections, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine Olexander Hrynevich is convinced that Ukraine needs a massive vaccination against influenza in connection with a high incidence of acute respiratory infections. By reports of Interfax-Ukraine, UNIAN, Ukrainian News, Ukrainskaya pravda
As a reminder, October 28 flu epidemic in the Ternopil Region, which had appeared a week ago, mowed down nearly 10,000 of residents. Moreover – unknown virus has already killed seven people. Ministry of Health has confirmed 20 deaths from pneumonia in Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk and Lviv Regions.
A closed meeting has been held in Ivano-Frankivsk, at which participants agreed that epidemic of the so-called “pneumonic plague” is being spread throughout Ukraine. But the problem is its form is unknown, it is ATYPICAL nobody knows how to treat it.
“”"As of 04:00 p.m. on October 29 the number of people sick with influenza and acute respiratory viral infections in these regions has reached 37, 923 people, 951 out of them have been hospitalized. “”"
I do not see that statement in the article please link an article that states that please. How many deaths?
In America: “”According to a CDC press briefing on 5/4/09:
“With seasonal flu, we see in the United States over 30 million cases. We see 200,000 hospitalizations and, on average, 36,000 deaths.”
This is a mortality rate of 0.12%”"
I seen my share of people die from the flu! Every year millions in the world die from the flu and we do not panic… (this year the governments have panicked the population and seesm right now Ukraine chooses to panic…
In Britain over 12,000 die from regular flu every year.
Lets hope that the UNKNOWN is not a different flu because the Swine flu has shown to be not as bad as normal flu. If UNKNOWN is new or a mutation then Ukraine could have problems.
Another tidbit of information: “”The CDC does not recommend use of face masks or respirators in non-health care settings, such as schools, workplaces, or public places, with a few exceptions: people who are ill with the virus should consider wearing one when around other people.”" But Ukraine has gone crazy buying these masks…
Panic
Very nice! There are a few intelligent people out there who see this for what it really is – just a bunch of hype intended to sell papers, boost ratings, etc. How many people die from auto accidents every year, heart disease, cancer, etc.? I’ve seen statistics on how much more likely you are go die in an auto accident on the way to buy lottery tickets than actually winning the lottery. The media is despicable, but this is nothing new. To paraphrase Mark Twain, “If you don’t read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you do you are misinformed.”
Hey Matt,
I see a real panic being driven in Ukraine right now. The main media is doing a blow by blow every half hour on this subject. They are playing it for all it is worth.
They even have the Russian media chiming in now…
“Ukraine has joined the global pandemic zone,” and it has scared them…
Kyle
Matt – did you realize that you and I are idiots?
I've known about me for almost 40 years, but I wouldn't dare label someone else, even with full justification!
It seems that Ddddddddddd is not the only one to hold that opinion though!
I just have to wade in on this one! America is panicking all us old cows in America to get flu shoots. We literally are being arm twisted. I have read all I can on this subject in the last half hour and I see more games being played. Ukraine according to sources that I have found loose 5000 plus people a year to the flu. This is a low number because Ukraine has such a poor medical response system. No one really knows how many die from flu because most deaths are just considered natural causes, with no cause recorded. So the unverified facts lead to that Ukraine looses 10,000 to 15,000 people a year just to flu like illnesses. The worry is if this is a new strain of flu! Sorry I just had to put my penny in the pot. So since your article is about H1N1 and that leads to only one or two deaths in Ukraine. This is a panic for no reason. If it is a new strain then it still is a panic to transfer funds in the government of vast money.
Ukraine can not fight this because their infrastructure is not designed to do it so they have never cared before at thousands of dead from flu why NOW!
Marion
Hey Fred,
Thanks for the information. I understand what you say and I see such facts and know they are true.
But many people just do not see anything except what is put in front of their face. Just like when a plane wrecks and hundreds die we all freak out.
But everyday people are killed in a car wreck or even while walking to the store and no one seems to freak out over that.
We sure do not stop driving and going to the store because of it…
Kyle
Hey Marion,
If you could send me a link to deaths in Ukraine from flu in the past years – please do. I am looking for that and information from Ukraine as far as deaths by issues of all types is not readily available…
Thanks for your comment.
Thanks Kyle
Hey Zhann,
Lets us know what you find out. I agree that money is the first priority of the Ukraine Government not the people…
Kyle
No – me neither – I really prefer names like – fool, half-wit; imbecile; dolt, dunce, numskull!
Idiot – “A person of the lowest order in a former classification of mental retardation, having a mental age of less than three years old and an intelligence quotient under 25.”
This is the dictionary definition. I know that does not fit you! Me…
Kyle
now I wouldn't mind combining that and having the potential of a 3 year old, with the physical age of 25!
I like your nice site. AJ from France.
Congratulations !
http://allainjules.wordpress.com/
Hey allainjules,
Thanks for stopping by!
Kyle
According to a newly released report, the flu season for the H1N1 pandemic flu has already peaked and the federal government’s vaccination program would only reduce the number of infected individuals by 6% by the end of the year.
Small children, who take up to four weeks to produce sufficient antibodies, would not likely experience any benefit from vaccination if they were to undergo vaccination now (late October 2009). The full report, published in the journal Euro Surveillance, can be found here.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the current vaccine used for H1N1 pandemic strain only produces immunity among 25% of children age 6–35 months and 36% for children age 3–9 years. So the vaccine is largely ineffective in young children.
Other researchers report that approximately 1.37% of people in the US who developed symptoms from the pandemic 2009 H1N1 flu during the spring were hospitalized; 0.22% required intensive care or mechanical ventilation; and 0.045% died (~1–2 in 5000 cases). These low mortality and hospitalization rates occurred entirely without any available vaccine. [PLoS Currents Influenza. 2009 Sep 25]
Want to see what the big news thinks about Ukraine and her political rejects? Games and more games. WB
MOSCOW — The Ukrainian government is taking some of the sternest measures in the world against the spread of the swine flu virus, ordering schools nationwide to close for three weeks, banning public gatherings and imposing restrictions on travel.
Prime Minister Yulia V. Tymoshenko announced the measures on Friday in response to rising fears about swine flu, especially in western Ukraine. Federal health officials said 33 people had died from the flu across the country, although there was conflicting information about which type of the virus was to blame.
The situation in Ukraine “has reached the epidemic threshold,” Ms. Tymoshenko said. The ban on public gatherings, she said, would apply to “all large-scale events, concerts, movie showings and any other gatherings of people for the next three weeks.”
The World Health Organization said it would send a team to Ukraine to assist the authorities there.
News reports from western part of the country said there were long lines at pharmacies as people sought medication and masks.
With all rallies canceled, the anti-flu measures were expected to have an immediate impact on the campaign for Ukraine’s presidency. The election is on Jan. 17, and Ms. Tymoshenko formally registered as a candidate on Saturday. She said she did not expect that the voting would have to be postponed.
The virus is spreading across Eastern Europe, but it was not clear why Ms. Tymoshenko chose to undertake stronger moves, like closing schools nationwide, than her counterparts in Russia and Poland.
There were indications, however, that the government’s response was being influenced by electoral politics. Ms. Tymoshenko, one of the leading candidates, and her bitter rival, President Viktor A. Yushchenko, who is far behind in opinion polls in his bid for re-election, both sought to make clear that they were aggressively addressing the outbreak.
On Friday, Mr. Yushchenko criticized Ms. Tymoshenko, saying that he had ordered an inquiry into why the country was not, in his opinion, prepared.
“We will have an assessment of the issues that arose — why this has turned out to be so acute,” he said.
Hi, Im Jorge, from Buenos Aires.
About the post, let me tell you, we had several (as you may know)
problems with the H1N1 virus including a considerable number (almost 600) of diseases last winter (from april to august), so, maybe I can help with our experience. Given the circunstances, the more important thing to do, is to keep people informed WITHOUT spreading paranoia. It is VERY important to know: Virus´ mortality levels are quite low, much less than expected . It is a good thing that the government takes all necesary measures, but its also important not to oversize the problem and most of all, not spread paranoia. Its also good that´s the ukranian government reacted but maybe they sould be more moderate. Here, mortal cases were proved to be much less than we have every year from ordinary flu.