Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

Schools in Ukraine have been closed for three weeks, travel restricted and public events stepped down as the country’s swine flu death toll continues to climb. Sixty-seven people have died from breathing problems in the past week. The Eastern European country’s Health Ministry is not sure how many of these deaths were caused by swine flu, but the news has caused widespread panic across the country, and people have started wearing surgical masks in the street. More than 255, 000 Ukrainians had registered with public health authorities as suffering from flu, and 83, 000 of these are children, vice Health Minister Vasyl Lazorishinets told a press briefing. Some 15, 000 of the people infected are in hospital, and 170 were listed on Sunday evening as in critical condition, Lazorishinets said. Read the story here.