Flu epidemic could affect stock market. Yaroslav Debelyi The flu epidemic in Ukraine could influence the stock market, increase political tensions and affect industrial output in November, experts say.

"More likely the epidemic will influence the stock market of the country. The influence could be both direct, what could cause a reduction in trade activity, and indirect," Andriy Shevchyshyn, the head of the analytical department at TASK Investment Group said.

He explained that children of school and preschool age need supervision, and that's why working parents would be forced to take a vacation, which would influence productivity in November.

The expert also noted the increasing political activity of presidential candidates.

"The emergency situation forces the government to take strict measures that in the current situation will raise the ratings of candidates and lead to strengthening political confrontation which, in turn, could affect the ratings of Ukraine," he said.

As reported, the Ukrainian government on Friday announced quarantines in nine regions of Ukraine. In three of them – Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil and Lviv – the level of А/H1N1 swine flu cases has exceeded the average. Some cases of the disease have been registered in neighboring regions – Zakarpattia, Chernivtsi, Rivne, Khmelnytsky, Vinnytsia, and Volyn.

Moreover, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko announced the introduction of a three-week ban on mass events – concerts, cinema shows, and any other large gatherings of people.

"In addition, we'll introduce special regimes which will set limitations on the movement of citizens from one region to another if they have no urgent reason to travel," she said.

A three-week quarantine has been also introduced at all schools, colleges and universities in Ukraine.