Swine flu panic stricken Ukraine gets help

Reports from Ukraine are saying that the country, which has been hit with 190,000 swine flu cases to date, is not ready for the epidemic. The H1N1 virus could also become a political issue ahead of the January presidential elections. Swine flu panic stricken Ukraine gets help President Viktor Yushchenko has asked for emergency assistance from the United States, EU, NATO and neighboring countries. On Monday, the Ministry of Health in Kiev explained that only 22 of 67 victims of respiratory infections were in fact infected with swine flu. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko stated that the "people were dying from common flu and respiratory infections". The neighboring countries have responded to the Ukrainian government appeal's for help. Additionally, a Swiss plane carrying 16 tons of antivirus medication landed at the airport in Kiev last night. “There are 300,000 units of Tamiflu, which means that 300,000 people will receive emergency medical help. It is also the amount that will meet the daily needs in all of Ukraine,” said the prime minister. Tymoshenko also stated that her country would buy the same amount of Tamiflu for USD 8,7 per package, but added the medication would not be distributed via pharmacies, because some of them took advantage of the situation and were selling the drug at ten times its original price. Meanwhile, reports said that half of the 190,000 swine flu cases were children. The Ministry of Health stated that four doctors succumbed to the disease. The epidemic broke out last week in the western part of the country and the government reacted by closing off nine regions. The state of emergency has not been introduced yet, however, but school children have been sent home for three weeks. All mass gatherings have been canceled, including concerts, and movie shows, while traveling from one region to another has been restricted. Tymoshenko suspended her election campaign two days ago, but she in the meantime stated that the epidemic would not jeopardize the holding of the presidential elections.

Swine flu panic stricken Ukraine gets help

President Viktor Yushchenko has asked for emergency assistance from the United States, EU, NATO and neighboring countries.

On Monday, the Ministry of Health in Kiev explained that only 22 of 67 victims of respiratory infections were in fact infected with swine flu.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko stated that the "people were dying from common flu and respiratory infections".

The neighboring countries have responded to the Ukrainian government appeal's for help.

Additionally, a Swiss plane carrying 16 tons of antivirus medication landed at the airport in Kiev last night.

“There are 300,000 units of Tamiflu, which means that 300,000 people will receive emergency medical help. It is also the amount that will meet the daily needs in all of Ukraine,” said the prime minister.

Tymoshenko also stated that her country would buy the same amount of Tamiflu for USD 8,7 per package, but added the medication would not be distributed via pharmacies, because some of them took advantage of the situation and were selling the drug at ten times its original price.

Meanwhile, reports said that half of the 190,000 swine flu cases were children. The Ministry of Health stated that four doctors succumbed to the disease.

The epidemic broke out last week in the western part of the country and the government reacted by closing off nine regions.

The state of emergency has not been introduced yet, however, but school children have been sent home for three weeks.

All mass gatherings have been canceled, including concerts, and movie shows, while traveling from one region to another has been restricted.

Tymoshenko suspended her election campaign two days ago, but she in the meantime stated that the epidemic would not jeopardize the holding of the presidential elections.