MANILA, 18 June 2009, 1600 hrs—Samoa reported its first laboratory-confirmed case of influenza A(H1N1) in the reporting period to 18 June, as the combined total of infections in the Western Pacific Region neared 4000. No deaths from influenza A(H1N1) have been reported in the Western Pacific Region.
New cases were also reported in Australia, China, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, and Viet Nam.
The Western Pacific Region has reported a total 3862 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1):
- 2118 in Australia
- 467 in China
- 666 in Japan
- 23 in Malaysia
- 127 in New Zealand
- 311 in the Philippines
- 73 in the Republic of Korea
- 1 in Samoa
- 49 in Singapore
- 27 in Viet Nam.
Australia reported the highest daily increase in infections among Member States for this reporting period, detecting a further 153 cases to take its tally to 2118. 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.
Japan announced an additional 80 cases, and there are confirmed infections in 30 of that country's 47 prefectures. Of the total of cases in Japan, 147 have no known link to initial infections contracted either through travel to affected countries or close contact with travellers.
An additional 80 cases reported in China included a 25-year-old Chinese woman and a 38-year-old Chinese man with no recent history of overseas travel who caught a train from Chengdu to Guangzhou on 7 June. More than 10 cases were detected among passengers on that train.
Samoa's first infection was a 14-year-old female student who had returned from a school trip to Australia in 8 June. A further 64 cases were announced in the Philippines, all but two of them Filipino nationals. New Zealand had 18 new cases, while six were announced in the Republic of Korea, five in Malaysia, and two in Viet Nam.
Global influenza A(H1N1) case count
As of 18 June 2009, 88 countries officially had reported 39 785 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, with 164 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 4049 laboratory confirmed human cases, including four deaths. Chile has reported 2335 laboratory-confirmed human cases, including two deaths. United Kingdom has reported 1461 laboratory-confirmed human cases, including one death. Costa Rica has reported 149 laboratory-confirmed human cases, including one death. Guatemala has reported 128 laboratory-confirmed human cases, including one death. Dominican Republic has reported 93 laboratory-confirmed human cases, including one death. Colombia has reported 53 laboratory-confirmed human cases, including one death.
The following countries, territories and areas have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths: Argentina (733), Australia (2118), Austria (7), Bahamas (2), Bahrain (12), Barbados (3), Belgium (19), Bermuda UKOT (1), Bolivia (11), Brazil (79), British Virgin Islands UKOT (1), Bulgaria (2), Cayman Islands UKOT (4), China (467), Cuba (7), Cyprus (1), Czech Republic (4), Denmark (15), Dominica (1), Ecuador (86), Egypt (26), El Salvador (125), Estonia (4), Finland (12), France (118), France, French Polynesia, FOC (1), France, Martinique, FOC (1), Germany (195), Greece (23), Honduras (100), Hungary (4), Iceland (4), India (30), Ireland (12), Israel (152), Italy (72), Jamaica (12), Japan (666), Jordan (2), Kuwait (18), Lebanon (11), Luxembourg (2), Malaysia (23), Morocco (3), Netherlands (68), Netherlands, Curacao, OT (1), New Zealand (127), Nicaragua (118), Norway (13), Panama (272), Paraguay (25), Peru (112), Philippines (311), Poland (7), Portugal (3), Qatar (3), Republic of Korea (73), Romania (16), Russia (3), Samoa (1), Saudi Arabia (17), Singapore (49), Slovakia (3), Spain (499), Sri Lanka (1) Sweden (37), Switzerland (27), Thailand (310), Trinidad and Tobago (5), Turkey (16), Ukraine (1), United Arab Emirates (1), United Kingdom, Isle of Man, Crown Dependency (1), United Kingdom, Jersey, Crown Dependency (1), Uruguay (36), Venezuela (45), Viet Nam (27), and West Bank and Gaza Strip (2), and Yemen (1).
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