20 July 2009

British airlines stepped up restrictions on Sunday on travellers who are traveling to and from Britain, as a report said four more British students quarantined in China had been confirmed as having H1N1 flu.

Britain is Europe's worst-hit territory, with estimates of 55,000 new cases last week.

Both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic said they had put in place measures to turn back passengers showing symptoms.

9 July 2009

In Japan, the number of Influenza A (H1N1) cases reached 2,033 by midday yesterday. The total has been increasing daily, by around 100 cases in the past few days. However, no deaths or serious conditions have been reported.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said that countries are no longer required to submit regular reports of individual laboratory-confirmed cases and deaths to WHO. This is because the reporting of such numbers is no longer a useful monitoring tool.

WHO has also decided that it will no longer publish the tables showing the number of confirmed cases for all countries.

8 July 2009

According to the World Health Organization's (WHO), pandemic alert level remains at the maximum level of six.

The A (H1N1) virus, which was first detected in Mexico in April, has infected more than 94,512 people around the world, causing 429 deaths.

Laboratory-confirmed cases of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 as officially reported to WHO by States Parties to the International Health Regulations (2005), on 6 July 2009 09:00 GMT

Country	Compared with the no. of cases on 3 July 2009	Confirmed Cases	Deaths cases
Algeria		5
Antigua and Barbuda		2
Argentina	+898	2,485	(+34) 60
Australia	+730	5,298	(+1) 10
Austria	+4	19
Bahamas	+1	7
Bahrain		15
Bangladesh	+6	18
Barbados		12
Belgium	+5	54
Bermuda, UKOT		1
Bolivia	+133	416
Bosnia and Hezegovina		1
Brazil		737	1
British Virgin Islands, UKOT		2
Brunei Darussalam	+39	124
Bulgaria		10
Cambodia		7
Canada		7,983	25
Cap Verde		3
Cayman Islands, UKOT		14
Chile		7,376	14
China	+226	2,040
Colombia	+17	118	2
(new) Cook Island		1
Costa Rica	+50	727	(+1) 3
Cote d'Ivoire		2
Cuba	+12	85
Cyprus	+39	109
Czech Republic		15
Denmark	+3	66
Dominica		1
Dominican Republic		108	2
Ecuador	+41	204
Egypt	+11	78
El Salvador	+66	319
Estonia		13
Ethiopia	+1	3
Fiji		2
Finland	+4	47
France	+10	310
France, French Polynesia, FOC	+2	4
(new) France, Guadaloupe, FOC		2
France, Martinique, FOC	+1	3
France, New Caledonia, FOC	+6	12
(new) France, Saint Martin, FOC		1
Germany	+35	505
Greece	+42	151
Guatemala	+32	286	2
(new) Guyana		2
Honduras		123	1
Hungary		11
Iceland		4
India	+25	129
Indonesia	+12	20
Iran, Islamic Republic		1
Iraq	+1	12
Ireland	+23	74
Israel	+104	681
Italy	+16	146
Jamaica		32
Japan	+344	1,790
Jordan	+1	23
Kenya	+3	15
Korea, Republic of		202
Kuwait		35
Laos	+2	5
Latvia		1
Lebanon	+2	49
(new) Libya		1
Lithuania		3
Luxembourg	+2	6
(new) Macedonia		2
Malayasia		112
Malta	+22	24
Mauritius		1
Mexico		10,262	119
Montenegro	+1	10
Morocco		17
Myanmar		1
Netherlands	+1	135
Netherlands, Aruba		5
Netherlands Antilles, Curaçao	+1	8
Netherlands Antilles, Sint Maarten		7
New Zealand	+147	1,059	(+3) 3
Nicaragua	+15	308
(new) Nicaragua		321	13
Norway	+9	41
Oman	+1	4
Palau		1
Panama		417
Papua New Guinea		1
Paraguay	+3	106	(+1) 1
Peru	+378	916
Philippines		1,709	1
Poland	+6	25
Portugal	+15	42
Qatar	+13	23
Romania	+5	41
Russia		3
Saint Lucia		1
Samoa		1
Saudi Arabia	+25	114
Serbia		15
Singapore	+177	1,055
Slovakia		18
Slovenia	+9	14
South Africa	+6	18
Spain	+16	776	1
Sri Lanka	+2	19
Suriname		11
Sweden	+10	84
Switzerland	+4	76
Syria		1
Thailand	+662	2,076	(+4) 7
Trinidad and Tobago	+12	65
Tunisia	+2	5
Turkey		40
Uganda		1
Ukraine		1
United Arab Emirates		8
United Kingdom		7,447	3
United Kingdom, Guernsey, Crown Dependency		5
United Kingdom, Isle of Man, Crown Dependency		1
United Kingdom, Jersey, Crown Dependency	+3	11
United States of America		33,902	170
(new) USA, Puerto Rico		18
(new) USA, PVirgin Islands		1
Uruguay		195	(+3) 4
Vanuatu		2
Venezuela	+2	206
Viet Nam	+50	181
West Bank and Gaza Strip	+30	60
Yemen	+1	8

6 July 2009

Australia reported its 11th death linked to H1N1 flu yesterday. The number of cases in Asia- Pacific's worst-hit nation had soared to 5,298.

Health officials said that all those whose death was linked to H1N1 flu in Australia have had underlying medical conditions, except one, a three-year-old boy from Victoria state who died late last month.

1 July 2009

Spain and Uruguay on Tuesday reported their first deaths from H1N1 flu.

In Spain, a 20-year-Moroccan woman died at a Madrid hospital on Tuesday, becoming the country's first fatality from the A(H1N1) infection.

The woman was seven months pregnant and suffered from asthma, said a health ministry statement. She had been receiving treatment for several days, but her condition deteriorated on Monday. This prompted her doctors to carry out a Caesarean delivery of the baby, who was fragile but unaffected by the virus.

In the Uruguay, health ministry officials reported the country's first victim- a 60-year-old woman.

Meanwhile, health authorities in Canada expressed alarm that young people were being hit hardest by the H1N1 infection.

Preliminary data showed the virus had mostly infected people under the age of 20 in Canada, and relatively few people over 65.

During seasonal influenza outbreaks, the elderly usually account for 25 percent of infections, and most deaths.

30 June 2009

WHO said that the flu pandemic will last up to two years and warned countries that already had large numbers of infections to prepare for a "second wave of infection".

The data released by the WHO on Monday showed that the number of recorded H1N1 flu cases has reached 70,893 worldwide, with 311 deaths, since the virus was first discovered in late March.

29 June 2009

On Saturday, 27 June 2009, Myanmar confirmed its first case of H1N1 flu, with state media reporting that a 13-year-old girl had tested positive for the virus on her return from Singapore.

25 June 2009

The number of H1N1 cases in Japan has reached 900. In view of the numbers, Japanese authorities are changing the way they deal with the disease.

The Japanese government has relaxed its instructions on inspections of possible H1N1 patients.

It has stopped special quarantines at international airports in the country, and patients who are not in serious condition have been told to stay home. Meanwhile, hospital beds are reserved only for the seriously ill.

16 June 2009

Health authorities from the Philippines have reported the country's first cluster of domestic H1N1 flu cases after a group of primary school students were infected in a remote northern village.

It was not clear how the students in the isolated community of 1,600 people were infected. However, officials said over 90 others who were in contact with the children have also shown flu-like symptoms. The school will remain shut for the next 10 days.

According to the WHO, the countries considered to have sustained community transmission include:

• United States of America
• Mexico
• Canada
• Chile
• Australia
• United Kingdom
• Japan
• Spain

15 June 2009

A patient suffering from H1N1 died on Sunday in a hospital in Scotland, authorities there announced, in the first death of a patient with the virus in Britain and the first outside the Americas.

The H1N1 virus has so far infected almost 30,000 people in 74 countries since it was first detected in Mexico in April, according to the latest WHO figures released on Friday, which put the death toll then at 145.

12 June 2009

Yesterday, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a flu pandemic, the first in 41 years, urging countries to shore up defences against the Influenza A (H1N1) virus.

The United Nations agency raised its pandemic flu alert to phase 6 on a six-point scale, indicating that the disease was spreading geographically. Under the WHO's guidelines, one key criteria for declaring a pandemic would be established community spread in a country outside the first region in which the disease was initially reported, in this case, outside the Americas.

The decision to raise the alert level was based on an overall assessment in the eight most heavily hit countries — Australia, Britain, Canada, Chile, Japan, Mexico, Spain and the United States, and the observation that the virus is spreading in a sustained way in communities, according to WHO Director- General Dr Margaret Chan.

Even though the virus currently exhibits low morbidity and low mortality, Dr Chan said that it is prudent to anticipate a bleaker picture as the virus spreads to areas with limited resources, poor health care, and a high prevalence of underlying medical problems.

Although the fatality rate for H1N1 is not high, it has caused deaths in pregnant mums and young people, making it different from the seasonal flu.

5 June 2009

Australia's Influenza A (H1N1) tally rocketed by more than a third yesterday to nearly 900. The latest official figures revealed 876 confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1). In the space of two weeks, Australia has gone from a single case to being the fourth hardest-hit country in the world.

In the Philippines, the number of people infected with the H1N1 flu virus has climbed to 22. Despite the rise in confirmed H1N1 cases in the country, health authorities said that there is still no reason to panic as there is no community level outbreak in the Philippines.

13 May 2009

Thailand on Tuesday (12th May), confirmed its first two cases of H1N1 flu, becoming the only Southeast Asian nation hit by the virus so far. The cases were detected after the patients returned separately from visits to Mexico, suffering from mild fever. The cases had recovered after treatment with anti-viral drugs.

11 May 2009

30 countries have officially reported 4694 cases of Influenza A(H1N1) infection.

Mexico has reported 1626 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 48 deaths. The United States has reported 2532 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. Canada has reported 284 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. Costa Rica has reported eight laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death.

The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with NO deaths – Argentina (1), Australia (1), Austria (1), Brazil (8), China (2, comprising 1 in China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and 1 in mainland China), Colombia (3), Denmark (1), El Salvador (4), France (13), Germany (11), Guatemala (1), Ireland (1), Israel (7), Italy (9), Japan (4), Netherlands (3), New Zealand (7), Norway (2), Panama (15), Poland (1), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (3), Spain (95), Sweden (2), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (47).

10 May 2009

29 countries have officially reported 4379 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection.

Mexico has reported 1626 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 45 deaths. The United States has reported 2254 laboratory confirmed human cases, including two deaths. Canada has reported 280 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. Costa Rica has reported eight laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death.

The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with NO deaths - Argentina (1), Australia (1), Austria (1), Brazil (6), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Colombia (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (2), France (12), Germany (11), Guatemala (1), Ireland (1), Israel (7), Italy (9), Japan (4), Netherlands (3), New Zealand (7), Panama (3), Poland (1), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (3), Spain (93), Sweden (1), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (39).

7 May 2009

South Korea confirmed its third case of Influenza A (H1N1), a woman who had returned from North America on the same flight as Seoul's first confirmed sufferer. The second case of H1N1 was that of a fellow nun aged 44, who picked the 51-year-old, the first confirmed case, up at the airport. South Korea has stepped up its inspections of inbound travellers.

As of 18:00 GMT, 24 countries have officially reported 2371 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 (201), 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).

6 May 2009

There has been an increase in the number of confirmed cases in Britain, Spain, Italy and Germany. If there is a sustained spread within Europe - as there has been in North America -- this could trigger the official declaration of a pandemic by the U.N agency.

23 countries have officially reported 1893 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection. Mexico has reported 942 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 29 deaths. The United States has reported 642 laboratory confirmed human cases, including two deaths.

Sweden and Poland joined the list of affected countries. Sweden said a woman in her 50s who visited Chicago had tested positive for the H1N1 virus.

The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (165), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Colombia (1), Costa Rica (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (2), France (5), Germany (9), Guatemala (1), Ireland (1), Israel (4), Italy (5), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (5), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (2), Spain (73), Sweden (1), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (28).

5 May 2009

The WHO said that 21 countries have officially reported 1490 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection.

Mexico has reported 822 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 29 deaths. The United States has reported 403 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death.

The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (140), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Colombia (1), Costa Rica (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (2), France (4), Germany (9), Ireland (1), Israel (4), Italy (5), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (6), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (2), Spain (57), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (27).

4 May 2009

According to the WHO, 21 countries have officially reported 1085 cases of Influenza A (H1N1) infection.

Mexico has reported 590 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 25 deaths. The United States has reported 286 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death.

The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (101), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Costa Rica (1), Colombia (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (2), France (4), Germany (8), Ireland (1), Israel (4), Italy (2), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (6), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (1), Spain (54), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (18).

The two patients, one from Hong Kong and another from South Korea, have been isolated. There has been no reported community spread in Hong Kong or South Korea.

3 May 2009

According to MOH, there have been 506 confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1-2009) reported in Mexico (with 19 deaths), 160 in the United States (with 1 death), 70 in Canada, 13 in Spain, 15 in United Kingdom, 6 in Germany, 4 in New Zealand, 3 in Israel, 1 in Austria, 1 in the Netherlands, 1 in Denmark, 1 in Switzerland, 2 in France, 1 in Ireland and 1 in Costa Rica. Hong Kong and South Korea have each reported 1 confirmed case.

The case in Hong Kong is a Mexican citizen who travelled to Hong Kong, while the case in South Korea was a South Korean who had travelled to Mexico. Both patients have been isolated and there has been no reported community spread in South Korea or Hong Kong to date.

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that there have been 898 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu in 18 countries.

The WHO said the following countries have confirmed cases of H1N1 flu with no deaths; Austria,1; Canada, 85; China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, 1; Costa Rica, 1; Denmark 1; France, 2; Germany, 8; Ireland, 1; Israel, 3; Italy, 1; Netherlands, 1; New Zealand, 4; South Korea, 1; Spain, 40; Switzerland, 1; and the U.K., 15

29 April 2009

Some schools are closed in Illinois, New York City, Texas, California, South Carolina, Connecticut, Minnesota and Ohio. Mexico suspended all schools until May 6.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued emergency guidance allowing certain antiviral drugs to be used in the broader range of population if needed. Public health emergency declared and roughly 12 million doses of Tamiflu from federal stockpile are to be delivered to the states.

Cuba banned flights from Mexico.

Flights from Mexico are also suspended in Argentina.

U.S., European Union and other countries discourage nonessential travel to Mexico. Travelers arriving from Mexico are to be questioned. Cruise lines also avoided Mexico ports.

Mexico City hands out surgical masks, closes public venues and cancels public events. President assumed new powers to isolate infected people.

As a precautionary measure, Egypt began slaughtering an estimated of 300,000 pigs.