In Ukraine, the alarm phase red has been declared. According to the health authorities, the country has been hit by a new influenza virus that’s more dangerous than the swine (H1N1) flu. It seems to be a new variant that has mutated from the California flu and two seasonal flu viruses. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is still treating it as ‘normal’ swine flu.

Ukrainian doctors who examined two victims spoke of “lungs as black as charcoal”. This description ties in with earlier reports from hospitals in the west of Ukraine. A record number of people have been admitted with very serious bronchial infections, especially pneumonia. Most of the patients reported to a doctor far too late, and died from the effects of the virus.

Life at a standstill
Public life has been at a standstill in the former Soviet republic for several weeks as a result of the severe outbreak of flu that has so far cost the lives of 189 people. All public events are forbidden, schools and universities are shut, and a number of border posts with Slowakia and Russia have been closed.

The WHO is trying to temper the alarming messages coming out of Ukraine. The first results of a WHO investigation into the 'superflu' did not point to an abnormal situation. Genetic analysis showed that the H1N1 virus was the main cause of the problems. Furthermore, the WHO says it has not mutated, and currently available pandemic vaccine offers sufficient protection.

Government not prepared
The problem is only that Ukraine doesn't have any vaccine. In the run-up to the pandemic the government didn't pay sufficient heed to the warnings. The vaccine was not ordered, and the stocks of antiviral drugs are minimal. There has been absolutely no information provided to the public. For ordinary citizens, good healthcare is seldom available. Even domestic medicines are either unaffordable or sold out.

The opposition accuses President Yushchenko of misusing the flu epidemic. It says that by creating confusion and anxiety, he wants to divert attention from the poor state of the economy. In January, the people are due to go to the polls to elect a new president, but because of the flu political meetings are forbidden.
 

RNW translation (as)
 

Lead photo: (c) EPA/Sergey Dolzhenko