Army's smelly flu solution

Moldova's army is feeding its soldiers onions and garlic to help them ward off swine flu.

Defence Ministry chief doctor Colonel Sergiu Vasislita says about 25g of onions and 15g 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 the measure was taken after 24 soldiers fell sick with swine flu in the past two weeks. More than 1000 Moldovans have swine flu with 90 new cases reported daily.

About 6500 troops serve in the army of Moldova, a small former Soviet republic bordering Romania and Ukraine.

- AP