WHO: Ukraine could face second, longer bout of A/H1N1 flu

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11:28

Head of the WHO international mission Jukka Pukkila has forecast that Ukraine could face a second, longer wave of the epidemic of A/H1N1 flu.

"We really are facing the virus of A/H1N1 flu… We have overcome the peak of the wave [of the epidemic in Ukraine]… The country should be ready for the fact that we could face a [new] wave of the epidemic that could last for several weeks or even several months," he said a meeting of the WHO mission with Ukrainian President Viktor Yuschenko in Kyiv on Monday.

At the same time, the WHO representative said "it is extremely hard to foresee the further development of the epidemic in Ukraine, as in other countries of the world."

According to Pukkila, the experience obtained by Ukraine during its fight against the epidemic is important for other countries.

"This result is important not only for Ukraine but for all other regions too. People of all countries are watching what is taking place in the country. The experience will help them to improve the response [to flu outbreaks] in their own countries," he said.