The report about the “Ukranian plague” is bunk. There was a panic that H1N1 had mutated into something worse but the WHO has already tested over 30 samples from the supposed victims of this plague and all they have found is typical H1N1. No mutations detected.
The simple fact is that H1N1 can kill all on its lonesome, and I guess when there is a pocket of deaths in one location, people get scared that something other than random chance is at play.
Apparently the prime minister of the country doesn’t agree with you. But I’m sure if you send her a telegram, she along with the Ukrainian parliament, their health ministry that declared an emergency, and the surrounding countries who closed off border crossings will be greatly reassured that you think it’s all “bunk.”
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/International/2009/11/04/Ukraine-flu-outbreak-worries-EU-neighbors/UPI-70081257359934/
Ukraine flu outbreak worries EU neighbors
BRUSSELS, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- An explosive outbreak of influenza in Ukraine is worrying EU member nations that border it, observers say. Kiev has issued a call for international help in obtaining anti-viral drugs, saying 71 people have died in the past week and another 240 people hospitalized in serious condition among more than 250,000 reported cases of flu-like infection, the EUobserver reported Wednesday. The publication said blood tests have not confirmed the presence of the H1N1 variety known as "swine flu," but the rapid pace of the infections have prompted a high level of concern among Ukraine's neighbors. "The priority is to obtain the Tamiflu anti-viral drug, as well as antibiotics, respirators, protective masks and test kits for identifying the A/H1N1 virus," the Ukrainian government said in a statement Wednesday. EU countries such as Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania that share land borders with Ukraine are worried, and are offering help. The EUobserver reported that Polish newspapers are saying Slovakia has already sent 200,000 protective masks to Ukraine. Warsaw is also reportedly concerned about the flu situation in Belarus because of that country's closed, authoritarian government. The publication said critics contend Belarus is concealing a large flu outbreak.
Yup and note that CDC has listed H1N1 cases as being on the decline so our pattern is indeed following that of Australia’s ( which has already gone through their season). It hit earlier than usual, lots of folks got it, the usual candidates did not die, and onece it hit it was over.
I had predicted based on that info that ours would decline by Nov 15th...not so far off as a predictor