For global developments
MANILA, 11 May 2009, 1600 hrs— China, Japan and New Zealand reported four new confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1). Hong Kong (China), Australia and the Republic of Korea have also reported cases, most of them since WHO raised its alert level from Phase 4 to Phase 5 on 29 April. No deaths from influenza A(H1N1) have been reported in the Region.
China reported its first case on the Chinese mainland on 11 May, a 30-year old male student of the University of Missouri in the US who had returned on 8 May to Sichuan Province via Beijing. During his flight from Beijing to Chengdu he felt feverish, was coughing, and complained of a sore throat and stuffy nose. Upon arrival in Chengdu, he went directly to the hospital with his relatives. The man has been confirmed to have influenza A(H1N1) by tests at two national reference laboratories. He and two close contacts are currently under medical observation and are reported to be in good condition.
Japan reported a fourth confirmed case on 10 May, a student on the same flight as two other students and a teacher who had tested positive the previous day after a school trip to Canada. The four returned to Tokyo, via Detroit, on Friday 8 May.
Two more confirmed cases were reported by New Zealand on 9 May, taking the confirmed case count there to 7. These two persons were part of the first group of students from Auckland's Rangitoto College who traveled to Mexico and returned to Auckland through Los Angeles on 25 April. They had been previously isolated, treated with Tamiflu and are now reported to be well.
In total, 17 confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1) have now been reported in the Western Pacific Region:
- 1 in China, reported 11 May
- 4 in Japan, 3 reported 9 May, 1 reported 10 May
- 1 in Australia, reported 9 May
- 7 in New Zealand, 3 reported 28 April, 1 reported 1 May, 1 reported 4 May, and 2 reported 9 May
- 3 in the Republic of Korea, reported 2 May, 5 May and 7 May
- 1 in Hong Kong (China), reported 1 May
WHO is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza A(H1N1) virus. Individuals who are ill should delay travel plans and returning travelers who fall ill should seek appropriate medical care. These recommendations are prudent measures which can limit the spread of many communicable diseases, including influenza.
Global case count
As of 06:00 GMT, 11 May 2009, 30 countries have officially reported 4 393 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection. Mexico has reported 1 626 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 48 deaths.
The United States has reported 2 254 laboratory confirmed human cases including two deaths. Canada has reported 280 laboratory confirmed human cases including one death. Costa Rica has reported 8 confirmed cases including one death.
The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Argentina (1), Australia (1), Austria (1), Brazil (6), China (1), Hong Kong (China) (1), Colombia (1), Costa Rica (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (2), France (12), Germany (11), Guatemala (1), Ireland (1), Israel (7), Italy (6), Japan (4), Netherlands (3), New Zealand (7), Norway (2), Panama (2), Poland (1), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (3), Spain (88), Sweden (1), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (34).
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