Turkmenistan: Swine Flu Deaths in Ashgabat -- Opposition Report

At least two people have died from swine flu in Ashgabat, according to a report distributed by an opposition website.

The Turkmen government is not carrying out a public education campaign about the risks, the flu's symptoms, or treatment, the November 1 report on Chrono-tm.org claimed. As a result, rumors are sweeping the Turkmen capital, and city residents are buying flu medicines and respiratory masks in a panic.

"Media advocacy is non-existent [. . . ] the authorities feared it would spoil the image of Turkmenistan as a prosperous country," the report said.