The Buryatia republic has declared a state of emergency over swine flu, while Chita police have been ordered to fine people who don’t wear facemasks.
Buryatia, located in southern Siberia along the border with China, canceled all celebrations planned in its capital, Ulan-Ude, for the People’s Unity Day holiday Wednesday because of swine flu, the republic’s presidential office said in a statement.
All cultural and sporting events have been banned, while residents working at public places must wear facemasks, the statement said.
It said 72 cases of swine flu have been confirmed in the republic.
In the nearby Zabaikalsk region, Governor Ravil Geniatullin has ordered police in the capital, Chita, to fine people who don’t wear facemasks, RIA-Novosti reported.
The region has registered eight swine flu deaths, more than half of the dozen swine flu deaths registered across the country.
Across the border in China, Chinese media reported that a Russian man was the country’s first foreigner to die of swine flu. The unidentified 32-year-old man was hospitalized Monday complaining of shortness of breath and a high fever, and he died later in the day, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
Separately, seven passengers on a Moscow-Bishkek train have been hospitalized with swine flu in Kyrgyzstan, RIA-Novosti reported Wednesday.
“There are no serious cases, and they will be soon released from hospital,” Kyrgyz Health Ministry spokeswoman Yelena Bayalinova was quoted as saying.
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