Around the World: Ukraine

Neighbors fear H1N1

Russia and Slovakia have tightened their borders with Ukraine as the World Health Organization investigates a suspected H1N1 flu outbreak in the country. Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko says the flu death toll has climbed to 71 since the outbreak struck last week in western Ukraine.

WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl says although only one fatality was a confirmed case of H1N1, the government was right to close all schools this week. Slovakia, which lies on Ukraine's western border, closed two of its five border crossings with Ukraine yesterday to keep the infection from spreading. In Russia, the Health Ministry said it would examine anyone crossing the border from Ukraine and quarantine people with severe symptoms.