Friday, May 08, 2009

WHO Influenza Update # 21

 

 

# 3151

 

 

Although the numbers are probably just the tip of the iceberg, they continue to show a spread of the A/H1N1 virus to new countries.  

 

Today, the count is 24 nations affected.

 

However, more than 130 nations have requested testing kits from the CDC (as of yesterday).  While the CDC has very recently shipped PCR test kits to dozens of nations, it can take days to get set up to use them. 

 

Most nations of the world are still unable to test for the virus, and so an absence of positive cases is no guarantee that a nation has not yet been affected.

 

 

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Influenza A(H1N1) - update 21

8 May 2009 -- As of 06:00 GMT, 8 May 2009, 24 countries have officially reported 2384 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection.

 

Mexico has reported 1112 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 42 deaths. The United States has reported 896 laboratory confirmed human cases, including two deaths.

 

The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (214), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Colombia (1), Costa Rica (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (2), France (5), Germany (10), Guatemala (1), Ireland (1), Israel (6), Italy (5), Netherlands (2), New Zealand (5), Poland (1), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (3), Spain (81), Sweden (1), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (32).

 

WHO is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza A(H1N1) virus.

 

Individuals who are ill should delay travel plans and returning travelers who fall ill should seek appropriate medical care. These recommendations are prudent measures which can limit the spread of many communicable diseases, including influenza.

 

Further information on the situation will be available on the WHO website on a regular basis.