Moldovan soldiers given onions to fight swine flu

CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) - November 19, 2009 -- Moldova's army is feeding its soldiers onions and garlic to help them ward off swine flu.

Defense Ministry chief doctor Col. Sergiu Vasislita says about 0.9 ounces (25 grams) of onions and 0.5 ounces (15 grams) of garlic will be added to each soldier's daily diet. That roughly corresponds to a small onion and a couple of garlic cloves.

Onion and garlic are traditional remedies in Moldova where they are widely believed to boost the immune system.

Vasislita said Thursday that the measure was taken after 24 soldiers fell sick with swine flu in the past two weeks. More than 1,000 Moldovans have swine flu with 90 new cases reported daily.

About 6,500 troops serve in the army of Moldova, a small former Soviet republic bordering Romania and Ukraine.

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