KIEV, Ukraine -- Ukraine introduced some of the strictest measures in the world on Friday to combat swine flu after a spate of deaths in the west of the country.
Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko imposed travel restrictions, banned public gatherings and closed schools and universities for three weeks after the health ministry declared an epidemic of the H1N1 virus.
The ministry released figures Sunday showing 53 people had died from flu and respiratory infections, although it was unclear how many of these were caused by the H1N1 virus.
The authorities called for calm as panic and rumors spread. In the capital Kiev, long queues formed at pharmacies on Friday, many of which ran out of medication and face masks. Many put the frenzied reaction down to people's lack of trust in the authorities.
"Everyone believes that they have to look after themselves as they cannot rely on the state," said Tetyana Barvitska, who was queuing at a pharmacy in downtown Kiev having already tried five others.
The ban on large gatherings will bring a halt to campaign rallies ahead of a contentious presidential election scheduled for Jan. 17.
The flu outbreak has already become a political football, with both president and prime minister issuing a number of orders to combat the outbreak by making masks and medication available. Mr. Yushchenko said he would like to see "more consistent steps from the government," and Viktor Yanukovych, leader of the opposition and a frontrunner for the ballot, called for the health minister to be dismissed.
A team from the World Health Organization is set arrive in Ukraine on Monday to assist
Source:wsj.com
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