WHO: 6,071 swine flu deaths worldwide

November 6, 2009

WHO Says Pandemic Flu on Rise in China, Japan

Pandemic Virus Does Not Appear to Be Spreading Quickly Among Animals, World

Health Organization Says

November 6, 2009

GENEVA (Reuters) - H1N1 swine flu is on the rise in China and Japan after

triggering an unusually early start to the winter influenza season in Europe,

Central Asia and North America, the World Health Organization said on Friday.

According to the U.N. agency's latest official toll, which is thought to

underestimate the total spread of the virus, at least 6,071 people worldwide

have died as a result of an H1N1 infection since its discovery earlier this year

in Mexico and the United States.

Some 359 deaths were recorded in the past week, which saw a big outbreak in

Ukraine as well as ongoing spread of the virus across the northern hemisphere.

" Intense and persistent influenza transmission continues to be reported in North

America without evidence of a peak in activity, " the WHO said in its latest

update.

" In China, after an earlier wave of mixed influenza activity (seasonal H3N2 and

pandemic H1N1), pandemic H1N1 influenza activity now predominates and is

increasing. "

Sharp increases in pandemic flu infections continue to be reported throughout

Japan, particularly on the northern island.

China is among more than 20 countries to have launched mass immunization

campaigns against the virus.

Most serious illness and deaths have occurred in patients younger than 65, and

pregnant women and people with chronic health problems are at high risk.

The WHO's top flu expert Keiji Fukuda said on Thursday that pandemic vaccines

given to millions of people had proved to be " very safe, " providing protection

with no unusual side effects.

GlaxoKline and Sanofi-Aventis are among some 25 companies producing

pandemic vaccine and other drugmakers including Switzerland's Roche Holding are

making antivirals for use as a frontline H1N1 drug.

Some pigs, turkeys and household pets have become infected with the H1N1 flu,

but the pandemic virus does not yet appear to be spreading quickly among

animals, the WHO said.

(Reporting by Nebehay; Editing by )

Recommended Posts