MANILA, 17 June 2009, 1600 hrs—The Philippines announced 54 new laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1) in the reporting period to 17 June, as the total of confirmed infections in the Western Pacific Region climbed beyond 3500. No deaths from influenza A(H1N1) have been reported in the Western Pacific Region.
Eleven schools and universities suspended classes in the Philippines after the detection of at least one new confirmed case at each institution. The suspensions were implemented either as a precautionary measure or after transmission was detected of flu-like illness linked to confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1).
The Western Pacific Region has reported a total 3505 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1):
- 1965 in Australia
- 387 in China
- 638 in Japan
- 18 in Malaysia
- 109 in New Zealand
- 247 in the Philippines
- 67 in the Republic of Korea
- 49 in Singapore
- 25 in Viet Nam.
Australia reported 33 new cases to take its total to 638, the highest in the Western Pacific Region. The Australian government announced on 17 June that it had raised its pandemic alert level to a newly created phase called "Protect", which would guide that country's ongoing response to the virus. The new phase recognizes that influenza A(H1N1) is so far mild in most cases, severe in some and moderate overall. It places emphasis on treatment and care for patients suffering from severe symptoms.
Confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1) have been detected in every state and territory of Australia. Most of the cases were in the state of Victoria, where health authorities have reported that they are focusing efforts on vulnerable groups such as the elderly, students at special development schools, hospital patients and people with a chronic illness.
An additional 33 cases were reported in Japan, where infections have now been detected in 25 prefectures. Around two-thirds of Japan's cases were teenagers, reflecting the fact that most initial outbreaks took place at schools.
China declared 25 new cases to take its total number of cases to 367, which are spread across 19 provinces. Fourteen new cases were detected in Hong Kong (China), where health authorities have urged members of the public to advise their children, relatives or friends travelling from abroad to Hong Kong (China) to defer their trips if they developed symptoms such as fever, cough or sore throat.
New Zealand reported an additional 23 cases to take its total to 109. Nearly 60 per cent of New Zealand's cases are aged between 15-years and 64-years. Singapore and the Republic of Korea both declared two new cases and Malaysia announced one new infection to take its tally to 18.
Global influenza A(H1N1) case count
As of 17 June 2009, 75 countries have officially reported 36 294 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, with 163 deaths. Mexico has reported 6241 laboratory-confirmed human cases of infection, including 108 deaths. The United States of America has reported 17 855 laboratory-confirmed human cases, including 45 deaths. Canada has reported 2978 laboratory confirmed human cases, including four deaths. Chile has reported 1694 laboratory-confirmed human cases, including two deaths. Guatemala has reported 119 laboratory-confirmed human cases, including one death. Costa Rica has reported 104 laboratory-confirmed human cases, including one death. Dominican Republic has reported 93 laboratory-confirmed human cases, including one death. Colombia has reported 42 laboratory-confirmed human cases, including one death.
The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths: Argentina (343), Australia (1965), Austria (7), Bahamas (1), Bahrain (1), Barbados (3), Belgium (17), Bolivia (7), Brazil (54), Bulgaria (2), Cayman Islands UKOT (2), China (387), Cuba (6), Cyprus (1), Czech Republic (4), Denmark (12), Dominica (1), Ecuador (80), Egypt (18), El Salvador (95), Estonia (4), Finland (4), France (80), Germany (170), Greece (19), Honduras (89), Hungary (4), Iceland (4), India (16), Ireland (12), Israel (117), Italy (67), Jamaica (11), Japan (638), Kuwait (18), Lebanon (8), Luxembourg (1), Malaysia (18), Morocco (1), Netherlands (61), New Zealand (109), Nicaragua (56), Norway (13), Panama (221), Paraguay (25), Peru (91), Philippines (247), Poland (7), Portugal (3), Republic of Korea (67), Romania (13), Russia (3), Saudi Arabia (11), Singapore (49), Slovakia (3), Spain (488), Sweden (32), Switzerland (22), Thailand (29), Trinidad and Tobago (5), Turkey (10), Ukraine (1), United Arab Emirates (1), United Kingdom (1226), Uruguay (36), Venezuela (25), Viet Nam (25), and West Bank and Gaza Strip (2).
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