17 May 2009. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported 8,480 confirmed cases of swine flu in 39 countries, with at least 72 deaths from the sickness. The virus, also called H1N1, still continues to spread around the world.
Of the 72 deaths reported, 66 were in Mexico, four were in United States, one in Canada and one in Costa Rica. At present, the H1N1 virus spreads widely, both domestically and around the world such as United States, Mexico, Canada, and some countries of Europe, Asia.
WHO recommends that if people get any flu symptoms such as high fever, headache, having breathing difficulties after going to business or travel from countries having the H1N1 virus, they should go to appropriate medical care centre. This recommendation is prudent measure which can limit the spread of the virus and help them to prevent the epidemic.
At present, the H1N1 virus still continues to spread around the world. However, WHO hasn't had any recommendations on restriction of traffic and trade among countries. But, if the influenza A (H1N1) virus outbreaks, a third of the world's population can get the flu. The United States has highest rate of infectious human cases with 4,714 cases.
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Swine Flu Masked Train Passengers in Mexico City.
Image: Flickr/Eneas | A member of Civil Protection sprays disinfectant on the
hands of girls at the entrance of the subway to avoid
contagion by the influenza A (H1N1) (swine flu virus),
in Mexico City, on April 30, 2009. |