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No. of Influenza A Cases Rises to 1,085 Worldwide

Posted May. 06, 2009 08:24,   

한국어

Three weeks after the first case of influenza A (H1N1) was reported in Mexico, the deadly flu virus has sickened more than 1,000 people worldwide, with North America mostly affected.

The World Health Organization said Monday that 1,085 people have been reported infected with the flu in 21 countries: 590 in Mexico; 286 in the United States; 101 in Canada, 54 in Spain, 18 in Britain, and eight in Germany.

Assistant Director-General for Health Security and Environment at the World Health Organization, Keiji Fukuda, said "We do not have any evidence that virus has taken hold and led to community transmission in any other countries right now," indicating that the pandemic alert level will not be raised to Phase 6.

Fukuda, however, urged countries not to lower their guard with the approach of winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

Mexico, which has suffered the most from the virus, will try return to normal from Thursday by opening schools and businesses, according the Associated Press.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon said, “It is time to return to normalcy.” The shutdown order will be lifted for universities and high schools only, however, as other educational institutions will be closed until May 11.

With the number of people without masks growing and cafes reopening, Mexico City is seeing part of its customary bustle back. Medical experts in Mexico, however, warned of a sudden increase in flu patients because the new virus is still spreading and person-to-person contact is also increasing.



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