Flu cases nearing 8,500 in 36 countries

MANILA, Philippines – The Influenza A(H1N1) virus infection appeared to be spreading rapidly worldwide, with the tally of confirmed cases swelling to 8,451 in 36 countries, according to data culled by GMANews.TV from the World Health Organization. WHO’s latest report also showed that the death toll also increased from 65 on May 15 (Update 29) to 72 on May 16 (Update 30) – with 66 deaths in Mexico, four in the United States, and one each in Canada and Costa Rica. WHO’s update did not include the fifth death confirmed in the US that was reported earlier by the Associated Press. Of the 8,451 confirmed cases, more than half are found in 13 countries the Americas. These are: Mexico (2,895); US (4,714); Canada (496); Panama (43); Costa Rica (9); Brazil (8); Colombia (11); El Salvador (4); Guatemala (3); Argentina (1) and Cuba (1). Ecuador and Peru recorded their first confirmed cases each on May 16. In Europe, 16 countries are battling with 236 cases of the disease. These include Spain (100 cases); United Kingdom (78); France (14); Germany (14); Italy (9); the Netherlands (7); Sweden, Norway, and Finland with two cases each and Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Poland, Portugal, and Switzerland with one case each. Belgium reported its first case on May 15. The tally increased to two on May 16. Ten cases have been recorded in Oceania – nine in New Zealand and one in Australia – while the there are seven in the Middle Eastern country of Israel. In Asia, four countries are dealing with 13 cases of the dreaded virus. These include: China ( 2 cases n the mainland and 2 in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region); Japan (4), South Korea (3); and Thailand (1). Globally, the countries which have posted an increase from May 15 to May 16 are Mexico, US, Canada, Belgium, Colombia, Costa Rica, Germany, New Zealand, Panama, and the UK. Those that have posted a continued increase over the past week include Mexico, US, Canada, Colombia, Panama, and the UK. The killer disease appeared to be inching closer to the Philippines, with three more Asian countries – Malaysia, India, and Turkey – reporting their first confirmed cases. The development, however, was not yet included in WHO’s latest tally. Malaysia is the next Southeast Asian nation after Thailand to confirm A(H1N1)-infection. Still, the Philippine Department of Health assured that - it is bolstering its efforts to prevent the virus from entering Philippine shores. - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV