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15 nations report 706 flu cases
Source: Agencies |
May 3, 2009, Sunday
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THE World Health Organization said early yesterday that 15 countries had reported 615 infections with the new flu virus A-H1N1, known widely as swine flu.
By early this morning, confirmed sickened worldwide numbered 706, with 443 cases in Mexico; 161 in the United States; 51 in Canada; 15 in Spain; 15 in Britain; six in Germany; four in New Zealand; two in Israel and France; one each in Italy, Switzerland, Austria, China, South Korea, Denmark and the Netherlands, The Associated Press reported.
Most of the increase from Friday's 331 toll reflected the results of ongoing tests from Mexico, which had a backlog of samples in WHO labs, the United Nations agency said.
Mexico, the epicenter of the disease outbreak, has 397 laboratory-confirmed human cases including 16 deaths, according to the WHO, whose data has been lagging national figures and is considered most authoritative.
The second-most affected country, the United States, has 141 cases confirmed in WHO labs including one death, the Mexican infant whose family crossed the border to seek medical help.
Mexico has cut its suspected death toll to 101 from as many as 176 because of test samples coming back negative in its labs, the government said late on Friday, in a sign the flu pandemic the WHO says is "imminent" may not be as severe as first feared.
The WHO repeated its view yesterday that borders should stay open and travel should not be limited as a result of the virus, but said "it is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention.
"Individuals are advised to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and should seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness," the WHO said on its Website.
The WHO also said it had sent 2.4 million treatments of anti-flu drug Tamiflu to 72 developing countries preparing themselves against a possible flu pandemic.
According to WHO's global alert and response director, "at this point it's important that all countries have access to anti-virals."
Dr Mike Ryan said the drugs came from a WHO stockpile donated by drug maker Roche Holding AG.
By early this morning, confirmed sickened worldwide numbered 706, with 443 cases in Mexico; 161 in the United States; 51 in Canada; 15 in Spain; 15 in Britain; six in Germany; four in New Zealand; two in Israel and France; one each in Italy, Switzerland, Austria, China, South Korea, Denmark and the Netherlands, The Associated Press reported.
Most of the increase from Friday's 331 toll reflected the results of ongoing tests from Mexico, which had a backlog of samples in WHO labs, the United Nations agency said.
Mexico, the epicenter of the disease outbreak, has 397 laboratory-confirmed human cases including 16 deaths, according to the WHO, whose data has been lagging national figures and is considered most authoritative.
The second-most affected country, the United States, has 141 cases confirmed in WHO labs including one death, the Mexican infant whose family crossed the border to seek medical help.
Mexico has cut its suspected death toll to 101 from as many as 176 because of test samples coming back negative in its labs, the government said late on Friday, in a sign the flu pandemic the WHO says is "imminent" may not be as severe as first feared.
The WHO repeated its view yesterday that borders should stay open and travel should not be limited as a result of the virus, but said "it is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention.
"Individuals are advised to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and should seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness," the WHO said on its Website.
The WHO also said it had sent 2.4 million treatments of anti-flu drug Tamiflu to 72 developing countries preparing themselves against a possible flu pandemic.
According to WHO's global alert and response director, "at this point it's important that all countries have access to anti-virals."
Dr Mike Ryan said the drugs came from a WHO stockpile donated by drug maker Roche Holding AG.
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