MANILA, 17 May 2009, 1600 hrs—Japan reported 21 new laboratory confirmed cases of the influenza A(H1N1) virus over the weekend of 16-17 May, taking the confirmed case count in that country to 25. The cases comprise 12 students at three high schools in Kobe and nine students at a high school in Osaka.
All new Japanese cases appear to have acquired the virus independently of the country's previous four cases, as none have had any contact with the initial cases nor have they traveled recently to countries affected by influenza A(H1N1). The cases seem to be mainly associated with schools and, at this stage, there is no clear sign of the virus transmitting into local communities.
China and Malaysia also reported new laboratory confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1). No deaths from influenza A(H1N1) have been reported in the Western Pacific.
There are now 45 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1) in the Western Pacific Region:
- 1 in Australia, reported 9 May
- 3 in China, reported 11 May, 13 May
- 2 in Hong Kong (China), reported 1 May, 13 May
- 25 in Japan, 3 reported 9 May, 1 reported 10 May, 21 reported May 16-17
- 2 in Malaysia, 1 reported 15 May, 1 reported 16 May
- 9 in New Zealand, 3 reported 28 April, 1 reported 1 May, 1 reported 4 May, 2 reported 9 May, and 2 reported 15 May.
- 3 in the Republic of Korea, reported 2 May, 5 May and 7 May
China's Ministry of Health announced that country's third laboratory confirmed case of influenza A(H1N1) on 16 May. An 18-year old woman tested positive after returning to China on 11 May from New York State in the United States of America, where she had been studying. She developed flu-like symptoms on 12 May and checked into the outpatient section of Peking University's First Hospital soon after. On 15 May she was hospitalized at Beijing's Ditan Hospital and was diagnosed as confirmed case of influenza A(H1N1) the following day. Her condition is reported as stable.
Malaysia reported two new confirmed cases. The Ministry of Health announced Malaysia's first laboratory confirmed case on 15 May, a 21-year old male student who had returned from the United States of America on 13 May. He is in a stable condition in isolation at Hospital Sungai Buloh. The second confirmed case is a friend of the male student who was admitted at the Penang Hospital on 15 May. She is currently in a stable condition. Her family has been placed under home quarantine and at this time is not displaying flu-like symptoms.
An extensive investigation into the situation in Japan is currently being undertaken by national and local public health authorities. Japan expects more confirmed cases to emerge over the coming days, and health-care facilities have been instructed to be on the lookout for unusual cases with flu-like symptoms. WHO is collaborating closely with Japan's public health authorities to monitor this evolving situation. The government of Japan is providing very regular updates on the situation both to WHO and to the public.
Global case count
As of 06:00 GMT, 17 May 2009, 39 countries have officially reported 8489 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, with 72 deaths. Mexico has reported 2895 laboratory-confirmed human cases of infection, including 66 deaths. The United States of America has reported 4714 laboratory-confirmed human cases, including four deaths. Canada has reported 496 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. Costa Rica has reported nine 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 (3), Hong Kong (China) (2), Colombia (11), Cuba (3), Denmark (1), El Salvador (4), France (14), Germany (14), Guatemala (3), Ireland (1), Israel (7), Italy (9), Japan (25), Netherlands (3), New Zealand (9), Norway (2), Panama (43), Poland (1), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (3), Spain (100), Sweden (2), Switzerland (1), Thailand (2) and the United Kingdom (78).
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 travellers who fall ill should seek appropriate medical care. These recommendations are prudent measures which can limit the spread of many communicable diseases, including influenza.
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