Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KYIV1893
2009-10-30 13:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kyiv
Cable title:  

UKRAINE: AUTHORITIES CONFIRM H1N1 OUTBREAK, ANNOUNCE

Tags:  CDC SOCI PREL AMED CASC XH UP 
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VZCZCXRO4826
PP RUEHIK
DE RUEHKV #1893 3031349
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 301349Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY KYIV
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8707
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA PRIORITY
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
UNCLAS KYIV 001893 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CDC SOCI PREL AMED CASC XH UP
SUBJECT: UKRAINE: AUTHORITIES CONFIRM H1N1 OUTBREAK, ANNOUNCE
MEASURES

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED, NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION

UNCLAS KYIV 001893

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CDC SOCI PREL AMED CASC XH UP
SUBJECT: UKRAINE: AUTHORITIES CONFIRM H1N1 OUTBREAK, ANNOUNCE
MEASURES

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED, NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION


1. (SBU) Summary. Ukrainian Minister of Health Vasiliy Knyazevich
confirmed this morning that Ukraine is experiencing an A-H1N1
epidemic. In response, Prime Minister Tymoshenko announced that all
schools in Ukraine will be closed for three weeks, large public
meetings will be cancelled, nine regions in western Ukraine with
particularly heavy flu outbreaks will be quarantined, and the
government will consider limiting the movement of people within the
country. Meanwhile, lines have reportedly been forming at
pharmacies throughout the country, as people stock up on medical
supplies. End Summary.

H1N1 CONFIRMED
--------------


2. (U) Ukrainian Minister of Health Vasiliy Knyazevich confirmed
this morning that preliminary results show an A-H1N1 epidemic has
started in Ukraine. This confirmation, based on test results from
Kyiv laboratories, came on the heels of an "unknown" flu outbreak in
the Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Lviv oblasts in western Ukraine.
So far, at least 37 deaths have been reported, with thousands of
other people seeking treatment. Knyazevich stopped short of
confirming that all deaths were caused by A-H1N1 but said that at
least one fatality has been traced back to the virus. Ukraine has
sent samples to laboratories in the U.K. for further confirmation of
the type of virus that is spreading among the population. Test
results will reportedly be released on or about November 3.

QUARANTINE IN NINE REGIONS
--------------


3. (U) Following a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on October 30
to discuss the A-H1N1 outbreak, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said
the government has allocated UAH50 million to prevent the spread of
the virus and announced a number of preventive measures. According
to Tymoshenko, educational institutions including kindergartens,
schools, and universities in all Ukraine will be closed for three
weeks, and nine regions in western Ukraine with particularly heavy
flu outbreaks will be quarantined. As part of the quarantine, large
public events like church services, concerts and movie showings will
be cancelled. The quarantine may be extended to the entire country
should the situation deteriorate. The government also plans to
introduce a "special regime" to limit the movement of people within
the country. In addition, Ukraine will seek help from the World
Health Organization (WHO) and other international organizations to
help it combat the epidemic, Minister of Health Knyazevich said.

SHORTAGES OF MEDICATIONS REPORTED
--------------


4. (SBU) According to news reports and eyewitness accounts, people
in the most affected regions but also in Kyiv have begun to stock up
on mediations and surgical masks. Lines have been forming outside
of some pharmacies, and people have reportedly been unable to buy
anti-viral drugs and cold medicines, as stores quickly run out of
supplies. PM Tymoshenko warned pharmacies against raising prices
and suggested that the government would cancel the licenses of
pharmacies that try to gouge customers. She also proposed that for
a certain period of time all health care establishments, state and
private, be managed by the Ministry of Health.

COMMENT:
--------------


5. (SBU) We are seeking to confirm details of how the government
intends to implement the measures announced by PM Tymoshenko today,
especially concerning quarantines and possible limitations on
movement of people within the country. We will continue monitoring
developments of the outbreak and the government's response. The
Embassy's consular section has prepared a warden message to be sent
to U.S. citizens in Ukraine.

PETTIT