YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK, January 25. /TASS/. Authorities in Kamchatka, a remote region in Russia’s Far East, have introduced quarantine measures against the spread of flu epidemic, the regional government’s press service said on Monday.
Over the past week, laboratory tests have confirmed 39 cases of pandemic influenza A (H1N1), known as swine flu, including among 15 children. Most of the patients are the citizens of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the region’s administrative center.
"On Monday, January 25, the quarantine regime is introduced across the entire Kamchatka Territory," the press service quoted the deputy head of the local government, Valery Karpenko, as saying.
Authorities have introduced a ban on mass gatherings in closed space and also restrictive measures in medical facilities. The employees have been asked to wear masques. "But there is yet no talk of closing schools or other organizations," the official said.
The local pharmacies have enough anti-viral medications, he added. "There is no lack of medications in our facilities, and we are ready to counter the situation," Karpenko stressed.
Swine flu, which was responsible for the flu pandemic in 2009, is contagious, and it spreads in the same way as the seasonal flu. The most serious complication of the flu is pneumonia, leading to fatal cases.