Virologist's Charge Russia Is Hiding Swine Flu Creates Storm

WSJ On-Line ^ | SEPTEMBER 23, 2009 | GREGORY L. WHITE

[Pontiac]

A top Russian virologist's charge that health authorities are drastically understating the number of cases of swine flu -- a claim that senior health officials fiercely rejected -- has raised questions about Russia's claims to be relatively unaffected by the pandemic.

The controversy started late Sunday, when state television carried an interview with Dmitry Lvov, head of the government's Institute of Virology, who reported what he said was Russia's first death from H1N1 influenza, saying his institute had tested a sample from the victim.

Dr. Lvov, one of the country's most prominent health specialists, also said there were "tens of thousands" of H1N1 cases in Russia, far more than the 381 the government officially reports.

But the storm has continued, as Dr. Lvov has stuck by his charges and other specialists too have cast doubt on the official figures.

A doctor answering a swine-flu hotline at the state-run Influenza Institute in St. Petersburg this week said, "There have been lethal cases of this flu in Russia. It couldn't be otherwise; we're not isolated from the world." Officially, Russia is one of the few countries left in the world without a single H1N1 death.

[Pontiac]

What is it with Russia and this desire to keep secrets? Do Russian leaders think there is shame is admitting that their people get sick just like people everywhere? Or is it some kind of inferiority complex? We’re some much better than you, our people don’t get sick, ever!

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

Yes, they do. They think their government should be able to control everything, even the spread and cure of disease.

[Red_Devil 232]

It is part of the plan. Withhold the info until it is to big to keep under wraps! Then confess. At that point Obambi has the perfect time to scare the U.S. popluation and implement his Martial law plans!

[Pontiac]

In his TV interview, Dr. Lvov accused Dr. Onishchenko's agency of trying to cover up the scale of the outbreak to conceal the failure of their efforts to keep it out of Russia. Dr. Onishchenko rejected those allegations.

Top officials have strongly rejected both claims. Public-health chief Gennady Onishchenko accused Dr. Lvov of an "informational terrorist act," according to the official ITAR-Tass news agency.

Authorities published detailed information about the death Dr. Lvov referred to, arguing that the patient died of pneumonia and other underlying health conditions, not H1N1.

Well the doctor had better be careful he may end up in jail or dead. Reporters have been killed who criticized the government. Why not a doctor?

Hmmm, isn’t that how the flue usually kills people? Pneumonia.

[Freddd]

Saul Alinsky, and taliban tactic.

And of course, never let a crisis go to waste...