# 3205
This morning’s update from the WHO adds 3 new countries, but only 29 new cases, to the official H1N1 tally.
This small jump in cases reflects the small number of countries and laboratories reporting on the weekend, not a drop in infections.
There continue to be mentions in the press that some nations may be slow to test, or to report results, out of fear of forcing the WHO to upgrade to pandemic phase 6.
Many countries oppose moving to Phase 6, particularly as long as the virus remains relatively `mild’ – mostly for economic reasons.
To public health officials, the word `pandemic’ describes the spread of a disease – not the severity.
If the WHO goes by their own definitions (which, admittedly, they could change) – once they document community transmission outside of the Americas – they would have to go to phase 6.
Influenza A(H1N1) - update 31
17 May 2009 -- As of 06:00 GMT, 17 May 2009, 39 countries have officially reported 8480 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.
Mexico has reported 2895 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 66 deaths. The United States has reported 4714 laboratory confirmed human cases, including four deaths. Canada has reported 496 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. Costa Rica has reported nine laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death.
The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Argentina (1), Australia (1), Austria (1), Belgium (4), Brazil (8), China (5), Colombia (11), Cuba (3), Denmark (1), Ecuador (1), El Salvador (4), Finland (2), France (14), Germany (14), Guatemala (3), India (1), Ireland (1), Israel (7), Italy (9), Japan (7), Malaysia (2), Netherlands (3), New Zealand (9), Norway (2), Panama (54), Peru (1), Poland (1), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (3), Spain (103), Sweden (3), Switzerland (1), Thailand (2), Turkey (1), and the United Kingdom (82).
