Pandemic Alert - Update - June 1, 2009
A new influenza virus has been reported in many countries. The official designation for this virus is Influenza A(H1N1). This virus has also been referred to as swine flu, North American Flu, and Mexican Flu.
At least 150 people, and possibly many more, have died of this virus within the past month. Victims were often young and otherwise healthy. The virus is spreading human-to-human and has likely infected many people who have yet to be identified.
In the United States, there are over 10,000 cases. Over 500 people have been hospitalised. There have been at least 22 deaths in the United States. Five people died in Texas: a two year old boy; a women in her thirties; a man in his thirties, a 24 year old woman and a 42 year old man. Four people have died in Arizona: a woman in her forties in the Phoenix, Arizona area, a woman in her fifties on the Gila River Indian reservation; a 13 year old boy in Tucson; and a young girl also in Pima County. Five people have died in New York City: a 55 year old man (a teacher), a woman in her fifties; a 41 year old woman; a 34 year old man and an 11 week old baby. Other deaths: a man in his thirties in Washington state; a 44 year old man in St. Louis; a 22 year old man in Utah; three people have died in Illinois: two in the Chicago area, a 22 year old man and a woman and one in Kane County, a 42 year old man. Two people have died in California, a middle-aged man and middle-aged woman. Community transmission in the US is common. Health care workers have been infected.
In Mexico, there are 5,240 cases. The number of deaths is unclear. Because the virus began spreading in Mexico before it was identified, many likely died before it was possible to test. Estimates of deaths are over 100.
In Canada, there are 1,530 confirmed cases. There have been three deaths: a woman in her thirties, a 44 year old man and a 60 year old man. Health care workers have been infected.
Australia - 401 cases.
Japan - 379 cases.
Chile - 276 cases.
UK - 255 cases.
Spain - 180 cases.
Panama - 148 cases.
Argentina - 115 cases.
China - 62 cases (39 in mainland + 23 in Hong Kong).
Costa Rica - 50 cases. One man in his fifties is confirmed to have died.
Peru - 40 cases.
South Korea - 39 cases.
Ecuador - 36 cases.
Israel - 33 cases.
France - 32 cases.
Germany - 31 cases.
El Salvador - 27 cases.
Italy - 26 cases.
Philippines - 21 cases.
Brazil - 20 cases.
Columbia -20 cases.
Taiwan - 13 cases.
Guatemala - 12.
Uruguay - 11.
Dominican Republic - 11.
Sustained person-to-person spread is likely occurring in Mexico, Canada, the United States, Spain, United Kingdom, Japan, Chile and Australia.
There have also been confirmed cases in Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela and Vietnam.
There are suspected cases in a number of other countries.
Most of the initial reports of disease in both confirmed and suspected cases were associated with travel to Mexico. An increasing number of cases are associated with schools. Health care workers in several countries have become infected. Community transmission of the virus is becoming more frequent.
Some countries have instituted travel advisories, screening of travelers and activated their pandemic plans.
The WHO has raised the pandemic alert level to 5: pandemic, widespread human infection
The US has declared a Public Health Emergency.
Cumulative map of countries with outbreaks in humans of H1N1 (blue) H5N1 (red) and both H1N1 and H5N1 (purple).
For the latest information, please check the PFI_Main H1N1 Outbreak page and PFI_Forum Outbreak threads.
Monday, June 1, 2009
