With around 400 deaths already reported in the Ukraine from a virus suspected to be the swine flu or a combination of that with a respiratory illness, the national panic level is high and no major politician is losing this opportunity to exploit citizens’ fears prior to the general election scheduled for January 17. The prime minister announced an epidemic after only one reported case; she also closed schools, banned public gatherings for the past 3 weeks, and then criticized her political opponents for their inaction.

“The total number of people infected to 1.6 million out of a population of 46 million,” and all the major political figures have been exploiting the outbreak with an eye on the general election on 17 January. Ukraine’s Prime Minister Tymoshenko proclaimed an epidemic after only one case was reported, showing herself in charge as she closed all schools and banned public gatherings – including campaigning political rallies – for the past three weeks. During her high-profile television appearances, she has criticized her opponents for their inaction.

“‘This is very dangerous,’ said Igor Shkrobanets, chief of the health ministry in the western district of Chernivtsi. ‘One or another politician will gain from this situation, but the doctors and their patients certainly will not.’

“Semon Gluzman, a psychiatrist in Kiev, the capitol, told the Washington Post: ‘What we're seeing is a normal psychological reaction to the complete incompetence of the state authorities. People are scared and they don't know who to trust anymore.’

“ Swine flu pandemics are also being reported in Belarus, Moldova, Poland and Hungary.”

See also “Swine-Flu Panic in Ukraine: Crisis or Political Ploy?”