SHOCK! Epidemic of pneumonic plague in Ukraine? (updated at 05:39 pm)

Situation Update No. 9
On 01.11.2009 at 03:48 GMT+2

The death toll from a swine flu outbreak in Ukraine has risen to nearly 50, President Viktor Yushchenko announced Saturday, having put the number of dead at only 11 the day before. Quoted by the Interfax news agency, Yushchenko said the epidemic was spreading at a furious pace, with a total of 48 deaths and around 150,000 people sick. The president said that alone in Lviv region in the country’s west, more than 60,000 people had been infected with the H1N1 virus. All schools, kindergartens, and universities were closed for a three-week period on Friday. A ban on massed gatherings - forcing the wholesale cancellation of concerts and political rallies - was also in effect. Ukraine’s national security council also approved the equivalent of 55 million dollars in emergency funding, for swine flu control, and earlier Saturday the Ukrainian government announced new measures to control the spread of the virus. Health Minister Vasyl Kniazevych told Channel 5 television that the flu was thought still to be limited to the country’s western provinces as of Saturday morning, but because of the number of suspected cases, a spread was likely. “The country must prepare for a wider outbreak,” Kniazevych said. “Its direction of movement is towards central Ukraine.”

More than 80,000 people in the swine flu outbreak area had registered with authorities as displaying possible flu symptoms, but because of the similarity of swine flu symptoms to those of common flu, health workers were struggling to estimate the extent of the swine flu’s spread, Kniazevych said. “We had a problem with identifying the (swine flu) antibody in flu sufferers,” he said. “There is a mass of work we have to do.” Panic purchasing of flu remedies, surgical masks, and even citrus fruits took place in most major cities in the former Soviet republic, 1+1 television reported. The swine flu deaths thus far have been limited to the nine western provinces, most along the borders with Slovakia, Poland, and Romania. Shortages of over-the-counter medicines used to treat the common flu were reported as far away as the eastern city Zaporizhia, some 900 kilometres from the epicentre of the outbreak. Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko was scheduled to hold an emergency meeting with regional health officials Saturday, to discuss new disease control measures. Invoking a rarely-used law allowing the state to take temporary control of private property, Tymoshenko declared all health-related organizations in the country, including privately-owned health clinics and hospitals, to be “directly subordinate” to the government, effective immediately.

The government would pay particular attention to medical supply retailers, to head off artificial goods shortages and price gouging, she said, in comments reported by the Unian news agency. Retail price spikes of as much as 300 per cent for cold and flu remedies have taken place in recent years in Ukraine, during avian flu outbreaks. Tymoshenko claimed privately-operated chemists in the country were “absolutely supplied in full volume with all necessary medical supplies,” contradicting spot reports of shortages. Trains operated by the national railroad Ukrzhelesnitsiya were running according to schedule, but staff were ordered to wear surgical masks, and instructed to report passengers who appear to have flu symptoms. Medical personnel aboard “every passenger train” were available to provide first aid to potential flu sufferers, and would report people treated to the Health Ministry, according to statement on the Ukrzhelesnitsiya website. Traffic in Ukrainian airports and intercity highways meanwhile appeared to be at normal levels despite a call by Tymoshenko for Ukrainians to avoid long-distance travel if possible. Traffic police and airport security personnel have been briefed to screen travellers visually, Tymoshenko said.

Situation Update No. 8
On 01.11.2009 at 03:02 GMT+2

Ukraine’s swine flu epidemic is spreading at an alarming rate. The number of deaths has risen to nearly 50. President Viktor Yushchenko made the announcement, having put the number of victims at 11 just 24 hours earlier. The latest figures suggest 150,000 are sick with H1N1. Schools, universities and playgroups have been closed for the next three weeks. Mass gatherings have also been banned. Panic buying of masks and flu remedies is sweeping the country according to local media reports. The government also announced an emergency package of 40 million euros to go towards anti-swine flu measures. One woman queuing for medicine said: “What can I say? There is no medicine in the chemists. How come nobody prepared for this epidemic? Children are sick. The elderly are sick. There are no masks, not even basic pills. People are queuing and waiting for supplies to come, but nobody knows if they will come or not.” The price of flu medicines rose by as much as 300 per cent in Ukraine during the previous bird flu outbreak.

http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/woalert_read.php?cid=23630

In Ukraine, the flu have died, four medical

In Ternopil and Lviv oblasts of Ukraine from the flu have died, four health workers.

“Every physician, especially those who comes to the ward for the seriously ill in intensive care, should carefully consider their own protection, but the state should be fully implemented by all health workers the necessary means,” - noted the Minister for Health Vasyl Knyazevich at a meeting of the operational staff on combating influenza virus A/H1H1 / California.

Vasily Knyazevych also appealed to scientists to predict the subsequent spread of disease rates based on intelligence information.

According to the Ministry of Health, November 2, the Ukraine delegation arrives international experts to assist in overcoming the epidemic of influenza and acute viral infections.

Health Minister urged people not to panic, to refrain from undue buying drugs, not to engage in self-treatment and follow the recommendations of doctors.

He noted that the Government was able to resolve the issue of ambulances with fuel. In addition, the introduction of marginal prices for individual drugs and medical products, including gauze, gloves, syringes, ITAR-TASS.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, 48 people have become victims of a flu epidemic in the country. “48 people died in the territory of Ukraine, and sick for more than 150 thousand”, - he said during a meeting with the heads of administrations oblgastnyh western regions of Lviv.

According to him, the largest increase in incidence observed in the Lviv region. As President, in comparison with the previous day had increased incidence of 4-5.

“Ukraine has been ordered and the new year will put the most modern laboratory, similar to that which is in London. Signed all the contracts,” - said Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on a conference call on the influenza epidemic in the country, held in Kiev. http://www.vesti.ru/doc.html?id=323666&cid=9

Ukraine

Cabinet established a threshold level of prices for individual drugs 01/Nov/09

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has established ceiling prices for some medicines and medical products in order to stabilize the price situation in the period of the epidemic influenza A/N1N1.

A decree number 1154 dated 30 October posted on the government portal.

As stated in the document, and wholesale selling price, in particular, is Amixin 39,6 UAH (tablets of 0,125 mg. № 3) retail - 55 grn., Tamiflu - 250.92 and 348,5 UAH, respectively (for 75 capsules mg number 10), Arbidol 32,61 and 45,00 (tablets of 0,1 g number 10), oxolinic ointment - 6,16 and 8,5 UAH, respectively (10 g tube).

Limit the wholesale price for disposable masks set at 0,73 UAH., Retail - UAH 1 per share, on the gauze masks reusable - 1,1 UAH. and 1,5 UAH. Accordingly, the linear meter of gauze - 1,45 UAH. and 2 UAH.

Maximum wholesale price of disposable syringes should be no more than 0,51 UAH., Retail 0,7 UAH. apiece, a pair of gloves 0,73 UAH. and 1 UAH. respectively.

http://www.unian.net/rus/news/news-344406.html

Commentary

H1N1 Attack Rate Explodes In Ukraine

Recombinomics Commentary 16:29
November 1, 2009
http://www.recombinomics.com/News/11010901/Ukraine_Attack.html

In the Lviv region at 9.00 am on November 1 the number of deaths due to epidemics of influenza and SARS is 23 people. Of these, two children under 14 years old and 21 adults.

It is reported by the official web portal of the Lviv regional state administration.

According to official figures, the number of patients with influenza and SARS in the Lviv region is 78 thousand 102 persons (including children under the age of 14 - 38 thousand 450 adults - 39 thousand 652).

The number of hospitalized - 1 thousand 799 persons (including children under the age of 14 - 639, adults - 1 thousand 160).

In general, the incidence rate in the area is 312.4 per 10 thousand people (with children under 14 years - 967.8 per 10 thousand population).

The above translation describes the latest data on the H1N1 outbreak in the Ukraine. The updated government website has 53 fatalities (see updated map) and breaks down cases by region, including data for influenza and acute respiratory illness (see table here). The number of fatalities suggests that most ARI cases are swine flu, because in some instances the number of fatalities is between 0.5 and 1% of listed influenza cases. The ARI cases are 10-20 fold higher, which would significantly lower the Case Fatality Rate (CFR), but even with the listed ARI cases, the CFR would be alarmingly high. Thus, the number of ARI cases may be higher, or the virus is producing a significantly higher CFR.

However, as seen above, the incidence level in children has reached an alarming high rate of 10% in those under 14. If true, this rate would indicate the virus is spreading rapidly and raise additional concerns that the virus has changed and has a very high attack rate.

Thus, the data is still quite fluid, and information on the sequence of the virus is critical. Prompt release of these sequences would be useful.

Ukraine

Tonight Ulyanchenko meet the plane with 300 thousand packs of Tamiflu
01/Nov/09

This night, the plane will arrive in Kiev with 300 thousand packages of Swiss drug Tamiflu.

This UNIAN press-secretary of the President of Ukraine Irina Vannikova.

According to her, at 1 am in the capital’s airport “Borispol” to the Swiss city of Basel will arrive transport aircraft AN-26, which will bring 16-ton shipment of 300 thousand packs of Tamiflu, which is a monthly intake of preparation for the Ukraine.

I. Vannikova told that the execution of an order of the President, Foreign Minister of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko negotiated directly with the manufacturer of the drug “Hoffmann-La Roche.

For the results of arrangements for the preparation of Ukraine will cost 67 UAH. in a single package, which is a special price for those suffering from the grippaA/H1N1 California.

I. Vannikova reported that the President instructed the customs clearing goods quickly to the next morning the required number of Tamiflu have been delivered in the most affected by the flu western region of Ukraine.

Last night the plane with a cargo of “Borispol” will meet the chairman of the Presidential Secretariat Vera Ulyanchenko.

http://www.unian.net/rus/news/news-344413.html

Flu crossed the border from Ukraine? 30/Oct/09

The first alarm due to influenza rose on Friday morning at the border crossing in Kroscienko. - With a stay in a rehabilitation Drohobycz woman returning from a four-year old daughter. The girl was a cold, but my grandfather, who was transporting them, the border reported that the child is sick. Called an ambulance, the child was brought to our hospital. Fortunately, it turned out that this is a common cold. After the test, the girl went home with her mother in Limanowa. There are to report to your doctor - says Marek Kęska, Deputy Director of Medical Hospital in Ustrzyki Dolne. If it proved that the child is suffering from the flu, would be transported to the infectious department in Sanok, because Ustrzyki Dolne there is no such unit.

In the south branch of the infectious hospital in Lancut got a young Ukrainian student in Rzeszow. Has been addressed by the medical officer. - Preliminary test showed him the flu type A, further detailed studies show that this is a type of virus AH1N1 - says Krzysztof Przyśliwski, director of the hospital in Lancut. How we learned informally, a student recently visited friends in Ukraine. On Friday the hospital went well Lancut two Poles who had returned October 26 from Ukraine. - They work in the company to do the work in Ukraine. They came back, he felt unwell - explains Simon Jędral, provincial sanitary inspector in Rzeszow.

Despite this, the Carpathian made no additional precautions. - We apply the same procedure that was introduced in May, when we appeared at the first cases of the so-called. or Mexican swine influenza. Then we have focused on airports, but we were also ready to work at all crossings. Now changed its focus - Jędral says. Or customs officers, Border Guard, or do not get a recommendation of the use of protective masks. - Everybody should, however, more care and hygiene, wash hands frequently, shield your mouth and nose when sneezing - says Margaret Eisenberger-Blacharska, a spokeswoman for the Customs Chamber in Przemyśl.

(usual stuff snipped)

http://miasta.gazeta.pl/rzeszow/1,34975,7206380,Grypa_z_Ukrainy_przekroczyla_granice_.html

Epidemic situation in Ukraine threatens national security, 53 people die of cold and flu

01.11.2009, 17.52
http://itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=14490064&PageNum=0

KIEV, November 1 (Itar-Tass) - The epidemic situation in Ukraine “has assumed a threatening and unpredictable nature and is a threat to national security”, says a decree of October 31 by President Viktor Yushchenko, published on Sunday. The decree enacts a decision of the National Security and Defence Council on measures to fight the new flu (A/N1N1).

In the opinion of the Security Council, “the Ministry of Health and local bodies of executive power showed insufficient readiness to ensure treatment of patients”.

In this connection, the government was instructed to create reserves of medical equipment and anti-virus preparations, to strengthen anti-epidemic regime in places frequented by people, to restrict mass events and to involve the Defence Ministry and the Ministry for Emergencies to render medical aid to population.

The Health Ministry is to inform the Security Council secretary of the situation daily. The Defence Ministry was instructed to organise a check-up of population in the countryside with mobile teams from hospitals.

The Foreign Ministry addressed the WHO, NATO and the EU to help in overcoming aftermaths of the spreading infection.

Incidentally, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and Romania sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine to fight the flu epidemic, reported the press service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on Sunday.

Fifty-three people, including a child and two pregnant women, have died of cold and flu in Ukraine, the Health Ministry said.

In all, the country’s cold and flu rate amounts to 185,000, including 9,400 cases of flu. The number of A/H1N1 flu cases is unknown.

The situation is the worst in the Lvov region, where about 70,000 people have cold and flu. The cold and flu rate is also high in the Ternopol, Ivano-Frankovsk and Chernovtsy regions.

Four doctors died of flu in Ukraine’s Ternopol and Lvov regions, Health Minister Vasily Knyazevich said at the Sunday meeting of the operative headquarters for the prevention and treatment of A/H1N1 flu.

Ukraine enacted border crossing rules because of the A/H1N1 flu outbreak, Timoshenko said.

An international delegation of experts will come to Ukraine on November 2 for helping resolve the cold and flu problem.

Comment: Again, internal powerplay affects the pandemic response

Ukraine

Cabinet: 300 thousand doses of Tamiflu to distribute in hospitals free
01/Nov/09

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has promised that 300 thousand doses of the drug “Tamiflu”, which will arrive tonight in Kiev cargo, will be distributed free of charge in hospitals.

This UNIAN reported in the Office of Media Relations Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers.

“Emergency purchase and shipment of drugs provided to Ukraine Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and Foreign Minister Peter Poroshenko. That they personally would be at 00:30 am (November 2) to meet the shipment at the airport “Borispol” and will send it to the regions of Ukraine “, - underlined in the message.

“All citizens of Ukraine, who went to a hospital, if necessary, receive the drug immediately and for free,” - noted in the Office of Media Relations of the Secretariat of the Cabinet.

As UNIAN reported earlier with reference to the presidential press secretary Iryna Vannikova, tonight in the capital’s airport “Borispol” to the Swiss city of Basel will arrive transport aircraft AN-26, which will bring 16-ton shipment of 300 thousand packs of Tamiflu, which is a monthly intake preparation for the Ukraine.

She stressed that the Ukrainian Foreign Minister P. Poroshenko on the execution of an order of the President has negotiated directly with drug manufacturers “Hoffmann-La Roche, in which agreement was reached to purchase the drug at a special price - 67 UAH. per package.

http://www.unian.net/rus/news/news-344423.html

Ukraine

In Ivano-Frankivsk region died from pneumonia two more people
01/Nov/09

Died from pneumonia two more residents of Ivano-Frankivsk region
Two residents of Ivano-Frankivsk region died today, Nov. 1, from viral pneumonia.

This was at the briefing said the head of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Administration Mykola Paliychuk.

Thus, the number of victims of viral pneumonia in this area has reached 10 people.

According Paliychuk, one of the dead today - 33-year-old man from Rozhnyativ area. He was treated for a long time at home, and doctors were unable to help him. Died also a woman in Kolomna.

Head of State Administration called the epidemiological situation in the region “rather complicated”. According to preliminary information, all of the dead was not swine flu, but next week there will be results of studies from London.

http://korrespondent.net/tech/health/1013700

Ukrainian president requests international help with flu epidemic

20:0701/11/2009
http://en.rian.ru/world/20091101/156673053.html

KIEV, November 1 (RIA Novosti) - Ukraine’s president has asked the international community for help dealing with a flu epidemic that the country’s Health Ministry said on Sunday has killed 53 people.

“The current threat to the national security of Ukraine, which we cannot offset by just our own efforts, requires me to turn to our closest friends and strategic partners for emergency assistance,” Viktor Yushchenko said in a letter posted on the presidential administration web site.

Letters were sent on Sunday to the leaders of Belarus, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Romania, Slovakia and the United States, as well as to the European Commission president and secretary general of NATO.

“In the letters, Viktor Yushchenko also contains a list of the medicines and medical equipment that are necessary first of all for our nation to effectively counter the spread of epidemic influenza,” a statement on the site said.

Ukraine has already received offers of assistance from Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Russia and Poland, including for the delivery of vaccines and medical masks.

The Health Ministry said the 53 people had died from influenza or acute respiratory infections, but it was not clear how many of the deaths were related to the H1N1 virus. There was an outbreak of swine flu in western Ukraine in the middle of the week, but recent data only confirmed 13 cases and one death.

The ministry said that 184,919 people were sick with flu or colds, with 7,383 requiring hospitalization, 123 in serious condition.

The government has announced quarantine in nine areas in western Ukraine, and banned public events across the country and closed schools. A team of experts from the World Health Organization is due in the country on Monday.

“In response to the request from the Minister of Health of the Ukraine, WHO is deploying a multi-disciplinary team of experts to assist national authorities in mitigating the impact of the pandemic,” the WHO said on Sunday in a statement on its web site.

Ukraine

The death toll from the flu epidemic in Ukraine has reached 60 people - Ministry of Health
01/Nov/09

The death toll from the flu epidemic in Ukraine as of 17:00 on November 1 to 60 people, including three children.

Reported the press office of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

In particular, in the Lviv region 29 people were killed in the Ivano-Frankivsk region - 9 persons, in the Ternopil Oblast - 14 people in the Chernivtsi region - 5 people in Rivne region - 2 man in the Volyn region - 1 person.
Total sick 191 thousand 431 people.

Ukraine. Epidemic

Total hospitalized in Ukraine 7524 people.

It was reported that as of Saturday, October 31, Ukraine officially confirmed 14 cases of influenza infection in California mutation (influenza A/H1N1).

According to the Minister of Health of Ukraine Vasyl Knyazevich, in Kiev there is no confirmed cases of swine flu.

Meanwhile, tonight in the Ukraine from Switzerland will arrive aircraft with 300 thousand packages antiviral drug Tamiflyu.300 thousands of packages the drug Ukraine will be enough for one week, according to Health Minister Vasyl Knyazevich.

http://korrespondent.net/tech/health/1013737

Ukraine calls for help fighting swine flu

(AFP) – 1 hour ago

KIEV — Ukraine made an urgent appeal to world powers for help battling swine flu on Sunday, after 60 people died from respiratory problems in a week. President Viktor Yushchenko wrote to the United States, the European Union, NATO and Ukraine’s neighbours to ask for drugs and equipment to fight the spread of the A(H1N1) virus, according to a statement released by his office.

“The threat weighing on Ukraine’s national security which we cannot fight alone forces me to ask our close friends and strategic partners for urgent help,” Yushchenko wrote.

Ukraine has also ordered 16 tonnes of antiviral drug Tamiflu from Switzerland, the president’s office said. The health ministry said 60 people had died from respiratory problems in the past week, without indicating how many had succumbed to H1N1.”

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iuF9V8LrFsZ7Ik6cEdCztNqt7f9w

3 Employees Of Ukrainian Embassies Checked For A(H1N1) Infection

H1N1 Attack Rate Explodes In Ukraine
Recombinomics Commentary 16:29
November 1, 2009

30/10/2009 10:43

The FINANCIAL — “Three employees of Ukrainian embassies are being checked for infection with A(H1N1) influenza, Petro Poroshenko, the minister of foreign affairs, has announced to news reporters. “Three employees of embassies reportedly suspected for infection with the A(H1N1) virus. All necessary money for treatment, diagnosing provided urgently. Examination is under way,” he said.

The minister has refused to specify countries in which embassy employees are being checked.

Poroshenko says that the foreign ministry formed a fund for immediate allocation of money for treatment in cases when health of the staff of Ukraine ‘s diplomatic missions is in danger.”

http://tinyurl.com/y8mgf5y

The number of fatalities suggests that most ARI cases are swine flu, because in some instances the number of fatalities is between 0.5 and 1% of listed influenza cases. The ARI cases are 10-20 fold higher, which would significantly lower the Case Fatality Rate (CFR), but even with the listed ARI cases, the CFR would be alarmingly high. Thus, the number of ARI cases may be higher, or the virus is producing a significantly higher CFR.

HCW Deaths in Ukraine

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/11010902/Ukraine_HCW.html

H1N1 Doctor Deaths In Ukraine Raise Concerns
Recombinomics Commentary 22:22
November 1, 2009

The above comments describe the death of four health care workers (HCWs) at two sites in western Ukraine. The government website shows a total of 53 deaths (see map), which is quite low if four HCWs have already died. HCW are trained in methods to minimize infections from parents, and they are likely to get prompt medical attention, yet four have already died. These numbers add to the confusion in Ukraine.

Initial reports denied the outbreak was due to H1N1 even though there is virtually no seasonal flu circulating in Europe (or North America). The explosion in cases of acute respiratory illness (ARI), in view of the exploding H1N1 pandemic throughout the northern hemisphere, would signal involvement in the cases in Ukraine.

However, even after H1N1 was confirmed in influenza and ARI patients in western Ukraine, Kiev was still maintaining that the cases there are not H1N1, even though 300,000 doses of Tamiflu are scheduled to arrive today, and a WHO investigative team is scheduled to arrive tomorrow.

The denials of H1N1 in obvious cases raise concerns that the number of fatalities is markedly higher that the 53 acknowledged, especially when 4 of the 53 are HCWs.

More details on the HCW deaths and on those hospitalized would be useful.

Terror in the Ukraine. Our special envoys they report 02.11.2009, 00:00

- We are afraid, because here, after all, people die. We do not know what to do. Ucieklibyśmy, but we have no where - says Florczuków terrified family from Lvov. Bogdan (33 l.), Galina (29 yr) and their son Ostap (6 l) for several days did not split up with masks on their faces. - I pray that we survived. Most worried about a child, he quickly grabs all the infections - adds Ms Galina. - Luckily for three weeks the son does not have to go to school because it is closed.

Plague in Ukraine already in Poland

Raging virus paralyzed life in Ukraine. People stopped to even contact with family and friends. Talk with relatives and friends only by phone. All now are afraid to even an ordinary cold.

And more and more of their relatives at home niepojące sees signs of a deadly plague. Florczukowie complain that they can not get any drugs, because everything you purchased at a pharmacy. Therefore cure homemade ways: at the moment łykają vitamin C, drink hot milk with honey and garlic.

The latest figures are striking. In Ukraine 185 thousand already sick. people! And influenza caused by virus A/H1N1 and related complications, 53 people have already died! Not only Ukraine is faced with a sudden wave of cases of influenza. Belarus on acute respiratory infections and flu-sick 65 thousand. people and nearly a thousand in the hospitals.

The worst is in the neighboring Polish Lviv. There is suffering more than 69 thousand. people, including almost 26 thousand. children! Lviv streets deserted. On the usually crowded square in front of the opera in the heart of the city there is none.

There are no customers in bars, restaurants, shops. Even in a nearby symbol of democracy - McDonald's, where the queues are usually huge. A few passers-by przemykają quickly to their homes. Most of them have their faces covered with masks.

The Polish government is in talks with the authorities of the European Union to a fatal virus vaccines are available in a free market, such as a vaccine for ordinary flu. Deputy Minister for Health Adam Fronczak says that the government provides for vaccination of Poles - the so-called risk groups - including children and pregnant women.

http://www.efakt.pl/Groza-na-Ukrainie-Nasi-specjalni-wyslannicy-relacjonuja,artykuly,56165,1.html

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