Posted on 10/30/2009 4:42:41 AM PDT by Uncle Ike
Ukraine
Ministry of Health: The situation with the epidemic - a complex and unpredictable
02/Nov/09
The situation with the influenza epidemic is a complex and unpredictable because of the propensity of influenza A/H1N1 virus to mutations, said today, November 2, First Deputy Minister of Health Mr. Lazoryshynets.
“The situation is complicated and unpredictable. We have discovered a strain of this virus in our laboratory ... This virus is dangerous because it can mutate, and we can get a very different kind of virus, which was in Latin America or in Mexico, he is now the European “- said Lazoryshynets at a press conference.
Recall that at the press conference Lazoryshynets also said that Ukraine has officially confirmed 22 cases of influenza A/H1N1.
The epidemic continues
Earlier today, First Vice Prime Minister Oleksandr Turchinov said that as of Monday morning, November 2, in Ukraine, with 64 deaths from flu and acute respiratory viral infections.
This was the first vice-premier said at the conciliatory council of Verkhovna Rada.
In addition, he said, only 191 thousand people are ill with flu and colds, 7.5 thousand are hospitalized.
As reported, last night, November 2, at the international airport Borispol from Switzerland arrived aircraft AN-12 loaded with an antiviral drug Tamiflu.
http://korrespondent.net/tech/health/1013957
Flu epidemic kills 60 in Ukraine, says health ministry
02.11.2009
“The number of those who have died from flu in Ukraine has increased to 60 people as of late Sunday, the Ukrainian Health Ministry’s press service has reported.
They include 55 adults, three children, and two pregnant women. The first flu fatality was registered in Volyn region.
The number of patients with acute respiratory infections has grown to 191,000 people, including 83,000 children.
Over 7,000 people have been hospitalized, and 123 of them are in intensive care units.”
http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/23506
Ukraine
The number of cases of influenza and ARI has exceeded a quarter of a million
02/Nov/09
In Ukraine, from 67 people died of influenza
The Ministry of Health stated that registered in Ukraine 255 thousand patients with influenza and ARI , 15 thousand of them hospitalized.
According to Deputy Health Minister Vasyl Lazorishintsa in the ICU was 170 patients, 67 men - have died (including 29 - in Lviv, 14 - in Ternopil, 12 - Ivano-Frankovsk region).
Lazoryshynets also noted that in Ukraine officially confirmed 22 cases of influenza A/H1N1. “Ukraine does not have a vaccine against pandemic influenza, but negotiations on deliveries of international organizations”, - he said.
However, Lazoryshynets emphasized that, according to WHO recommendations, if in the region identified a single case of disease caused by a virus A/N1N1, then the entire region, we treat the protocol precisely against this disease.
According to First Deputy Minister, the appropriate treatment protocol was developed by the Health Ministry and sent to the regions. Lazoryshynets also recalled that the Ministry of Health has purchased 67 thousand doses of Tamiflu and another 60 thousand received from the Ministry of Health.
In addition, during the night from Sunday to Monday, on the basis of agreements concluded by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs Peter Poroshenko and Health Minister Vasyl Knyazevich, Ukraine delivered from Switzerland 300 thousand doses of Tamiflu, which is a one-month supply for treatment.
This Lazoryshynets noted that the drug Tamiflu is not a preventive tool, and is used only for treatment when the patient first signs of disease.
However, at present, in Ukraine there is no vaccine against swine flu, but the Health Ministry is negotiating the purchase of these vaccines abroad. In particular, according to the deputy minister, currently several vaccines are in the process of registration in Ukraine.
Replying to a question about whether the different statistics on mortality from influenza and pneumonia in previous years, Lazoryshynets replied that in general, the picture in the western regions is not significantly different. Thus, in 2008 in Lviv from pneumonia deaths of 245 people, in Ternopil - 89 and in Ivano-Frankivsk - 88.
***
Recall, on Friday in Ukraine confirmed its first cases of swine flu. After this, the Cabinet introduced a quarantine in the nine western areas.
Today, 2 November, First Vice Prime Minister Oleksandr Turchinov said that the Government intends to consider the feasibility of November 2-3 quarantine in areas where it has not yet entered.
Ukraine’s leaders acknowledged that their forces to stop the spread of the epidemic can not, therefore, appealed for help to a number of countries, as well as to NATO and the EU.
http://korrespondent.net/tech/health/1013974
*ping*
Ukraine
In Vinnitsa region recorded the first death from pneumonia
02/Nov/09
In Vinnitsa region since the introduction of quarantine recorded the first case of death from pneumonia.
According to an UNIAN correspondent, reported this at a press conference the chairman of the Vinnytsia Regional State Administration Oleksandr Dombrovsky.
“Unfortunately, we are forced to admit that last night in Tomashpilskoy District Hospital a woman died from pneumonia. All the tests made in this case does not establish that the woman could hurt influenza A/H1N1 », - he said.
Chairman of the Vinnytsia Regional State Administration reported that in the whole region recorded 49 patients with pneumonia. “We have a number of complex cases with pneumonia, which are now in hospitals. One case in Mogilev-Podolsky, one complicated case of pneumonia recorded in Kalinouski Lipovecká, Kryzhopol areas and two cases in Vinnitsa “, - he said.
A. Dombrowski also said that as at 12.00 am on November 2 in the Vinnitsa region did not reveal any cases of influenza A/H1N1. “Today in the Vinnitsa region, we have 408 hospitalized. Yesterday morning it was 399 today - 408. Epidemiological threshold is exceeded in Vinnitsa - 115.9 persons per 10 thousand population. In the rest of the field incidence in 2,5 times lower than the epidemic threshold “- he said.
In general, the Vinnytsia region as of November 2 has been officially registered 141 people sick flu normal shape, and about 3,8 thousand people have contacted the health facilities with symptoms of ARI.
http://www.unian.net/rus/news/news-344558.html
Ukraine
Pharmacists threaten the closure of pharmacies
02/Nov/09
Pharmacists urged President Viktor Yushchenko to veto the law on the moratorium on raising prices and tariffs on medicines and medical products “adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on October 20, 2009. Otherwise, warn pharmacists during the influenza epidemic Ukrainians at risk of drugs.
According to an UNIAN correspondent, reported this today during an emergency meeting of pharmaceutical workers in Kiev, said President of Pharmacy Professional Association of Ukraine, Mikhail PASECHNIK.
He noted that 75% of medicines and 90% of pharmaceutical substances, which are necessary for the production of drugs in Ukraine are imported from abroad.
According to M. PASECHNIK, noted the law provides for the return of drug prices to the level of July 1, 2008.
“It is impossible to do. Prices of medicines have grown in Ukraine since approximately 40%. The purchase price in dollars has changed little, and sometimes even decreased. But the rate has almost doubled, “- he said.
Therefore, pharmacists believe that the introduction of the marked bill will have disastrous consequences for the population of Ukraine, as well as for the pharmaceutical industry, in particular, lead to the closure indefinitely pharmacies podtormozit work of domestic producers of medicines, stop imports and contribute to the spread of contraband products .
In his address to the President of Ukraine pharmacists noted that, according to preliminary estimates, the loss of state after the entry into force of the law on the moratorium on raising prices and tariffs on medicines and medical products “will be more than 8 billion UAH.
At the same time, pharmacists recognize that there is a lack of influenza drugs, which now have the highest demand among the population. But they see this and partly blame themselves Ukrainians, who have rushed to buy up large quantities of drugs “in store”, creating a buzz.
Asked by UNIAN, the association is engaged in a flu pandemic issues prices of the most popular drugs whose value has increased in some places a few times, M. PASECHNIK replied that no information on the speculation.
However, commenting on the rise in gauze bandages, he replied: “There are many manufacturers of bandages. There is a bandage for physicians. Household. They are on different ways: from 50 cents to 2 hryvnia. But now, the Cabinet issued a decree that they should cost no more than 1.5 hryvnia. I do not know how we do it. “
“Everyone says - blame pharmacy. And there is no stock. Ask: why not oxolinic ointment? And it is not. Each pharmacy wants to be good. The only question is - where can I get it and at what price? “- Added M. PASECHNIK.
As UNIAN reported earlier, on Oct. 20 this year Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law on the moratorium on the increase in prices and tariffs on medicines and medical products.
The law provides for a period of financial crisis for a moratorium on price increases for all types of drugs and medicines of domestic and foreign production to the fixing of minimum wages and pensions to the subsistence level and to the payment of arrears of payment of salaries, scholarships and money for students, trainees and students .
Also, the law provides that drugs of domestic production sold at prices regulated by the state, foreign-made drugs - at prices that prevailed as of July 1, 2008.
This Law shall come into force from the date of publication.
http://www.unian.net/rus/news/news-344550.html
Ukraine
In Ternopil region is ill-third of doctors and nurses
02/Nov/09
In the Ternopil region 30% of ill health workers.
According to an UNIAN correspondent, reported this today at a press conference, said the head of the Office of Health Governor Bogdan ONISKO.
He clarified that this is how the doctors and paramedics on the middle level.
At the same time head of the Department of Health assured that in no problems with medical personnel. “Mobilized senior students, the challenge send doctors of other specialties, it’s still qualified doctors. We serve all patients, “- says Boris ONISKO.
According to him, at present the region is not planning to seek help in other regions. “Aid does not ask, we can handle, although doctors are working in highly complex environments. Moreover, all the hospital facilities have been translated into clock mode “- added B. ONISKO.
According to him, none of the patients, doctors do not have influenza A/H1N1. He also added that recorded the death of a doctor, but he died from the disease, which is not associated with “swine” influenza.
http://www.unian.net/rus/news/news-344568.html
All of the official Ukraine data (location, adult, child, hospitalized, fatal, etc) is here
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&ie=windows-1251&langpair=auto%7Cen&u=http://www.moz.gov.ua/ua/main/press/%3FdocID%3D13950&tbb=1&rurl=translate.google.com
Ukraine flu death toll rises, foreign medical aid arrives (1st Lead)
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/health/news/article_1510802.php/Ukraine-flu-death-toll-rises-foreign-medical-aid-arrives-1st-Lead
Nov 2, 2009
Kiev - The death toll from what has been described as a flu epidemic in Ukraine continued to climb on Monday, as medical assistance from other countries began arriving in the former Soviet republic.
Health Ministry figures placed the number of dead from flu infection at 60 people. Swine flu was responsible for some but possibly not all of the deaths, according to a Health Ministry statement.
More than 191,000 Ukrainians had registered with public health authorities as suffering from flu, of whom 83,000 were children, according to an Interfax news agency report.
Most of those infected were in Ukraine’s western provinces, adjacent to the European Union nations Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania.
Some 7,000 flu-infected had been hospitalised, and 123 were listed on Sunday evening as in critical condition, said Health Minister Vasyl Kniazevych, in a Channel 5 television interview.
Four persons killed by the flu had been health workers, he said.
Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko at a nationally-televised cabinet meeting on Monday called for calm and said her government and the country would be able to deal with the health crisis.
‘We have an epidemic of conventional flu, which is accompanied by a small number of swine flu cases...and one of our tasks is to determine which is which,’ she said. ‘At the same time we have to battle with panic-mongering by irresponsible politicians...and some government officials.’
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko met with a delegation from the World Health Organization on Monday. Kiev needs further international assistance in combating the flu epidemic, which poses a threat to Ukraine’s national security, Yushchenko said.
A Ukrainian military cargo plane loaded with the flu medication Tamiflu late Sunday evening landed at Kiev’s Borispyl airport, to be met by Tymoshenko.
The drug, produced by Swiss-based Roche, would be turned over wholesale to Ukraine’s public health system, to prevent price-gouging by private distributors, Tymoshenko said.
Poland was the first country to donate medical aid to Ukraine, with a lorry-load of medical supplies on Saturday. The delivery going to a Lviv province hospital contained 80 packets of Tamiflu, 300 surgical masks, 70 sets of protective clothing, and a breath- assistance device.
Shortages in flu remedies, surgical masks and even Vitamin C tablets were reported across Ukraine, despite the foreign assistance, as panic buying emptied chemist shelves.
Black market prices of some flu remedies, particularly Tamiflu, had rocketed to as much as 10 times normal retail value, Tymoshenko said.
Educational institutions from nursery schools through universities kept their doors shut across Ukraine on Monday, as a Tymoshenko-announced ban on public gatherings went into effect.
Ukraine’s senior football league, nonetheless, conducted a routine round of matches over the weekend, with games held in stadiums nationwide.
Comment
If I understand what is going on correctly, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is trying to minimise the situation while Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko is suggesting that the current situation is a threat to national security. Tymoshenko wants Yushchenko’s job (election in 2010), so each is criticising the performance of the other. Officials supporting each candidate may be slanting local news to fit their candidate’s position. This may be why we are seeing contradictory “official” statements, as I believe Helblindi has been suggesting.
It’s hard to know who is correct, but, aside from my usual predilection to believe the doomiest scenario, Tymoshenko’s claim that most of the cases are seasonal flu seems suspicious. There is very little seasonal flu anywhere in the world right now. Why would it be prevalent in one corner of Ukraine? Would thousands of people be expected to be in the hospital in these western cities at this time of the year with seasonal flu? Perhaps Yuschenko is exaggerating some, but I am more inclined to believe him than Tymoshenko on the seriousness of the outbreak.
Press Center: November 2, 2009
Algorithm to provide medical care for pandemic influenza virus (A H1/N1 California) Ministry of Health Ukraine
“Comment”
[response Comment]
Yes, it looks like there’s some politicization of the situation - especially in the speculation of a Pneumonic Plague bio-attack (my post #152)....
But it’s becoming apparent that there’s more than one thing going on over there - the majority of cases appear to be garden variety H1N1, but there are a disturbing number of reports of hemorraghic pneumonia, viral pneumonia, and unidentified pulmonary nastinesses - any of which could be indicators of a more virulent strain of H1N1....
What’s particularly disturbing is that, while this is going on just a 12-hour plane ride away, I’ve heard FNC talking heads declaring that ‘the worst is over’....
That strikes me as a somewhat dangerous disconnect....
I agree with you 100%
Oct.26th: Ukraine detains three suspected Islamic militants
I’m not definitively ruling any possibility out, at this stage of the story...
There have been a number of ‘suspicious’ (and under-reported) outbreaks of Pneumonic Plague (which is a relatively rare form of the disease, according to the literature) in various places around the world over the past couple of years - most notably, an outbreak in one of the North African nations that was associated with a bio-research facility, earlier this year....
However, the reported details of this story make it a fairly low-probability (but not zero) scenario....
Thank you for posting this information -- I was certain that when I saw the phrase, pneumatic plague, that I'd read about it several times in recent years in regards to bioterror fears.
Incidentally, with the Keyword: UKRAINE, did you see this latest article?
Putin in new Ukraine gas warning http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2376051/posts
So? Every so many years there is an epidemic of Plague in the 4 corners region of the Navajo reservation. Prairie Dogs carry it and it goes into hibernation for years and then there will be a sudden out break. The point is, it is treatable now, unlike the dark ages, and most victims of it survive.
Hospitalized Students at Romanian Convention Raise Concerns (11/02/09 7:22)
H1N1 Doctor Deaths in Ukraine Raise Concerns (11/01/09 22:22)
H1N1 Attack Rate Explodes in Ukraine (11/01/09 16:47)
WHO Team to Investigate Ukraine H1N1 Outbreaks (10/30/09 23:47)
Ukraine Orders Mobile Military Labs for H1N1 Caseload (10/30/09 18:50)
H1N1 Fatalities in Ukraine Generate Travel Restrictions (10/30/09 15:47)
Is that the same type of plague as this possible pneumatic plague?
” Is that the same type of plague as this possible pneumatic plague? “
The short answer to your question is ‘yes and no’... ;)
Both Bubonic Plague (which calex59 correctly says is perennial out here in the American Southwest) and Pneumonic Plague are both caused by the bacterium ‘yersina pestis’...
Bubonic (the most common variety) is contracted in humans from bites of fleas from infected critters (mostly rodents) - and has rarely, if ever, been reported as being capable of human-to-human transmission...
Pneumonic (much rarer) occurs when the bubonic infection spreads to the lungs of a victim, at which point it does become capable of direct human-to-human transmission through the familiar cough/sneeze vectors...
While calex59 is correct that both variants are treatable with common antibiotics, one of the nastier aspects of Pneumonic Plague is that it can be pretty far advanced - enough that it can be transmitted - before gross symptoms appear... This makes it a)more difficult to treat successfully, and b)a much more likely to cause epidemic...
(Which is why there’s a lot of interest in Pneumonic Plague as a bioweapon...)
Correct you are Uncle. I didn’t read carefully enough and thought the article was about Bubonic plague, not Pneumonic.
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