WHO disputes '150 swine flu deaths' in Mexico

April 28, 2009

April 29, 2009

Article from: <http://aap.com.au/>Australian Associated Press

A MEMBER of the World Health Organisation has dismissed claims that

more than 150 people have died from swine flu, saying it has

officially recorded only seven deaths around the world.

Reports have put the likely death toll from the virus at 152, with

Mexican officials confirming 20 deaths.

The number of cases under observation in Mexico alone has reportedly

reached 1614.

But Vivienne Allan, from WHO's patient safety program, said the body

had confirmed that worldwide there had been just seven deaths - all

in Mexico - and 79 confirmed cases of the disease.

" Unfortunately that (150-plus deaths) is incorrect information and it

does happen, but that's not information that's come from the World

Health Organisation,'' Ms Allan said.

" That figure is not a figure that's come from the World Health

Organisation and, I repeat, the death toll is seven and they are all

from Mexico.''

Ms Allan said WHO had confirmed 40 cases of swine flu in the

Americas, 26 in Mexico, six in Canada, two in Spain, two in the UK

and three in New Zealand.

Ms Allan said it was difficult to measure how fast the virus was spreading.

She said a real concern would be if the flu virus manifested in a

country where a person had had no contact with Mexico, and

authorities were watching all countries for signs of that.

She said the WHO was not recommending against overseas travel, but

urged those who felt sick to stay home and others to ensure they kept

their hands clean.

No decision had yet been made about vaccinations.

" This virus is not airborne, it's caused by droplets ... so it's not

a time for worry. It's a time to be prepared,'' Ms Allan said.

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Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Hahnemannian Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Washington State, USA

Childhood Disease & Homeopathy Email classes start April 22 & 23

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