WHO mission in Ukraine

Following a request from the Ukrainian Government of 30 October 2009, a multidisciplinary team of nine experts was deployed by WHO/Europe to investigate the recent outbreak of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in the country.

Team members were conducting field investigations to characterize the clinical and epidemiological features of the outbreak and coordinate the response. Their activities included investigations into the areas of epidemiology, clinical management, infection control laboratory services, coordination, logistics and communication. During the WHO mission, communication strategies were elaborated to spread the knowledge about simple but effective measures to slow the spread and reduce the impact of pandemic (H1N1) 2009. In addition to that, the exchange between health care workers active in affected areas was promoted, allowing them to share experiences and to elaborate recommendations for the treatment of pandemic (H1N1) 2009. On 11 November, the Ministry of Health arranged and led a teleconference in Kyiv, connecting 486 hospitals and nearly 10 000 doctors in all 27 regions of Ukraine to facilitate the sharing of clinical experience and lessons learned in fighting the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus.