Abkhazia closes border with Georgia for 2 months due to swine flu outbreak
SUKHUM. Jan 11 (Interfax) - Abkhazia is closing its border with Georgia due to an outbreak of the H1N1 virus (swine flu).
"Due to the adverse epidemical situation in Georgia related to an outbreak of the H1N1 virus, which poses a lethal risk to humans, restrictions with regard to crossing the state border was introduced as of January 10, beginning at 8 p.m., for the period of two months," the Abkhazian State Security Service said in a statement.
"The entry by foreign nationals from the territory of the Republic of Georgia is being restricted, and citizens of the Republic of Abkhazia are forbidden to enter the territory of the Republic of Georgia," it said.
The Georgian Health Ministry confirmed earlier that 15 people had died from swine flu since the beginning of this year.
Most of the fatalities were people under the age of 40. One of the victims was 38 weeks pregnant. Doctors were able to save the child.
The majority of the deceased sought medical assistance too late and had co-existing diseases, according to doctors.