Eight cases of pandemic flu recorded in Transnistria

Eight cases of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) have been confirmed in the Transnistrian region so far, including four in Dubasari, two in Tiraspol and by one in Bender and Grigoriopol. Suspect cases were reported in Camenca, but they have not been yet confirmed, Info-Prim Neo’s correspondent in Tiraspol reports. The Transnistrian doctors say the number of acute respiratory infections does not exceed the average for this period of the year. Ludmila Belinskaya, deputy chief doctor at the Ambulatory Care Center in Tiraspol, said most of the infected persons do not need hospitalization. A separate entrance to the Center was set up for suspect cases. The leader of the Transnistrian region Igor Smirnov ordered naming by a doctor on guard in every education institution. Inspections were carried out in drugstores to check if they do not exceed the profit margin of 30% set for drugs. Valentina Romancenko, inspector of the audit division of the Department for Combating Economic Crime, said the drugstores are not adequately supplied with antiviral drugs. The druggists explain the demand has increased as the population got into a panic. The family doctors, therapists and infectionists have been vaccinated against seasonal flu in Transnistria free of charge. The population can buy the vaccine for about 100 rubles (131 lei).