Bishkek schools reopen, other Kyrgyz schools closed

Schools in Bishkek that were closed due to an outbreak of flu and respiratory infections among pupils and teachers, reopened on Nov. 30. However, more than 400 schools elsewhere in the country were closed.

Masud Ali-Uulu

2009-12-07

BISHKEK — Schools in Bishkek that closed on Nov. 23 due to an outbreak of flu and respiratory infections among pupils and teachers, reopened on Nov. 30. The Kyrgyz Ministry of Education and Science announced, however, that 442 schools elsewhere in the country were closed the same day.

Doctors say school closures are not linked to the H1N1 outbreak in November, with 61 reported cases. (Reuters/Eduard Korniyenko)

They included dozens of schools in the provinces of Jalal-Abad, Chuy, Talas, Naryn and Issyk Kul. A total of 56 schools closed in Osh, but authorities there said that classes were due to resume on Dec. 3. No indication as to the duration of the closures in other regions has been given. Batken Province has so far been unaffected.

Doctors say that the school closures are not linked to the outbreak of the H1N1 flu that occurred in November, and that they are “merely part of efforts to prevent cold-related illnesses.” Only 61 people in Kyrgyzstan have contracted the A/H1N1 virus to date. According to doctors, none of the cases are serious. The virus spread to Kyrgyzstan from Russia.

The Ministry of Health says that the rush to buy medicines and masks in the capital has already subsided. All pharmacies have plentiful stocks of antiviral and flu medicines.

[24.kg, Vesti.kz, CA-News.org]