The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that globally a total of 8,840 swine flu A(H1N1) cases of human infection have been confirmed, including 71 deaths (all of them in Mexico, the USA and Canada). The death rate for this novel influenza strain appears to be no different from that of seasonal human influenza. Several countries have now lifted travel restrictions on non-essential visits to Mexico.

Below is a list of countries and swine flu infection and death totals:

  • Mexico – 2,895 cases, including 66 deaths
  • USA – 4,714 cases, including 4 deaths
  • Canada – 496 cases, including 1 death

  • Spain – 103 cases, and no deaths
  • United Kingdom – 82 cases, and no deaths
  • Panama – 54 cases, and no deaths

  • France – 14 cases, and no deaths
  • Germany – 14 cases, and no deaths
  • Colombia – 11 cases, and no deaths
  • Italy – 9 cases, and no deaths
  • New Zealand – 9 cases, and no deaths
  • Brazil – 8 cases, and no deaths
  • Israel – 7 cases, and no deaths
  • Japan – 7 cases, and no deaths
  • China – 5 cases, and no deaths
  • Belgium – 4 cases, and no deaths
  • El Salvador – 4 cases, and no deaths
  • Cuba – 3 cases, and no deaths
  • Guatemala – 3 cases, and no deaths
  • Netherlands – 3 cases, and no deaths
  • Republic of Korea – 3 cases, and no deaths
  • Sweden – 3 cases, and no deaths
  • Finland – 2 cases, and no deaths
  • Malaysia – 2 cases, and no deaths
  • Norway – 2 cases, and no deaths
  • Thailand – 2 cases, and no deaths
  • Argentina – 1 case, and no deaths
  • Australia – 1 case, and no deaths
  • Austria – 1 case, and no deaths
  • Denmark – 1 case, and no deaths
  • Ecuador – 1 case, and no deaths
  • India – 1 case, and no deaths
  • Ireland – 1 case, and no deaths
  • Peru – 1 case, and no deaths
  • Poland – 1 case, and no deaths
  • Portugal – 1 case, and no deaths
  • Switzerland – 1 case, and no deaths
  • Turkey – 1 case, and no deaths

Although several countries have either imposed, the WHO does not recommend this. If you become ill with flu-like symptoms after travelling to a country with known swine flu confirmed cases of human infection you should telephone your doctor – several countries advise against walking into your doctor’s surgery so that the people there are not put at risk of infection. If you are ill with flu-like symptoms, and plan to travel abroad you should consider delaying your trip, says WHO.

Written by Christian Nordqvist