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WHO confirms 787 A(H1N1) cases in humans

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-05-03 20:27

GENEVA -- The World Health Organisation said on Sunday its laboratories had identified a total of 787 A(H1N1) flu infections in 17 countries and regions, including one case in Ireland, and said there were 19 confirmed deaths in Mexico.

The WHO's toll lags national reports about the virus but is considered more scientifically secure.

Its most recent figures show 506 people have been infected in Mexico and 160 people have been infected in the United States, the two countries most affected by the virus widely known as swine flu. There has also been one US death, identified by authorities there as a Mexican infant.

Earlier on Sunday, WHO had said there were 397 infections in Mexico and 16 deaths there. The UN agency said its figures changed because of "ongoing testing of previously collected specimens" and not new reported infections.

Full coverage: A（H1N1） Influenza Outbreak Related readings: China to start daily report on H1N1 Mexican A(H1N1) flu death toll at 19 Health experts gauge flu outbreak Mexican A(H1N1) death rises to 19 Canada: 1st pigs found with A(H1N1) flu virus WHO cares for pigs, uses technical name for flu

Mexico has revised down its estimate of as many as 176 suspected H1N1 deaths after receiving dozens of negative test results. Mexican authorities said on Saturday out of more than 100 suspected deaths from the strain, 19 have been confirmed.

The WHO has also confirmed flu infections, without deaths, in the following countries and regions: Austria (1), Canada (70), China's Hong Kong - (1), Costa Rica (1), Denmark (1), France (2), Germany (6), Ireland (1), Israel (3), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (4), South Korea (1), Spain (13), Switzerland (1) and Britain (15).

(WHO statement: www.who.int/csr/don/2009_05_03/en/index.html)