The deaths occurred in all but two Ukrainian regions, with the southern Odessa region and the country’s capital city of Kiev being the hardest hit, where 40 and 37 people have died, respectively, said the statement on the ministry’s website. All of the victims had not been vaccinated and two-thirds of them sought medical treatment too late, the statement said.
On January 16, Ukraine declared the influenza epidemic, which had been affecting 9.6 percent of the country’s population. Authorities ordered the closure of colleges, schools and kindergartens and advised people to wear protective masks in public places in an attempt to stop the virus. (IANS)