MANILA, 18 May 2009, 1600 hrs—Japan reported 104 new laboratory confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1) on 18 May, taking its total number of confirmed cases to 129. Hong Kong (China) reported one new confirmed case on 17 May, taking its confirmed case count to three. No deaths from influenza A(H1N1) have been reported in the Western Pacific.
On 18 May, the confirmed case count in Hyogo Prefecture, which includes Kobe City, rose to 78 after new cases were found at 10 schools throughout the prefecture. The case count at Osaka City rose to 47 on 18 May, from nine reported the previous day. All new Japanese cases appear to have acquired the virus independently of the country's previous four cases, which had histories of overseas travel. 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.
There are now 150 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, 17 May
- 3 in Hong Kong (China), reported 1 May, 13 May, 17 May
- 129 in Japan, 3 reported 9 May, 1 reported 10 May, 21 reported May 16-17, 104 reported May 18
- 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.
On 17 May, Hong Kong (China) announced that a 23-year-old student from China had tested positive to influenza A(H1N1) after arriving in Hong Kong (China) on 15 May from the United States of America, where he studies at university. The student developed a fever during the flight which was detected by an infrared temperature scanner on arrival. He was immediately taken to hospital for treatment in isolation. Passengers seated nearby the student during the flight and flight crew members serving in the same section of the cabin were placed in quarantine.
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 WHO is collaborating closely with Japan's public health authorities to monitor this evolving situation. The government of Japan is providing regular updates throughout each day on the situation both to WHO and to the public.
Global case count
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As of 06:00 GMT, 17 May 2009, 39 countries have officially reported 8 735 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, with 74 deaths. Mexico has reported 3 103 laboratory-confirmed human cases of infection, including 68 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) (3), Colombia (11), Cuba (3), Denmark (1), El Salvador (4), France (14), Germany (14), Guatemala (3), India (1), Ireland (1), Israel (7), Italy (9), Japan (129), Netherlands (3), New Zealand (9), Norway (2), Panama (54), Poland (1), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (3), Spain (103), Sweden (3), Switzerland (1), Thailand (2) and the United Kingdom (101).
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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