The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that 23 countries have a total of 1,893 confirmed cases of swine flu influenza (A H1N1), with 29 deaths in Mexico and 2 deaths in the USA. Mexican authorities are starting to ease restrictions, which have included a five day strict shutdown of restaurants in Mexico City, cinemas, government offices, sports stadia, as well as several other places where large groups of people might congregate and increase the risk of spreading infection.

  • Mexico – 942 laboratory confirmed cases, and 29 deaths
  • USA – 642 laboratory confirmed cases, and 2 deaths
  • Canada – 165 laboratory confirmed cases and no deaths
  • Austria – 1 laboratory confirmed case and no deaths
  • China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region – 1 laboratory confirmed case and no deaths
  • Colombia – 1 laboratory confirmed case and no deaths
  • Costa Rica – 1 laboratory confirmed case and no deaths
  • Denmark – 1 laboratory confirmed case and no deaths
  • El Salvador – 2 laboratory confirmed cases and no deaths
  • France – 5 laboratory confirmed cases and no deaths
  • Germany – 9 laboratory confirmed cases and no deaths
  • Guatemala – 1 laboratory confirmed case and no deaths
  • Ireland – 1 laboratory confirmed case and no deaths
  • Israel – 4 laboratory confirmed cases and no deaths
  • Italy – 5 laboratory confirmed cases and no deaths
  • Netherlands – 1 laboratory confirmed case and no deaths
  • New Zealand – 5 laboratory confirmed cases and no deaths
  • Portugal – 1 laboratory confirmed case and no deaths
  • Republic of Korea – 2 laboratory confirmed cases and no deaths
  • Spain – 73 laboratory confirmed cases and no deaths
  • Sweden – 1 laboratory confirmed case and no deaths
  • Switzerland – 1 laboratory confirmed case and no deaths
  • United Kingdom – 28 laboratory confirmed case and no deaths

WHO says travel restrictions related to the current outbreak of swine flu are not recommended. If you are ill you should delay your trip, while returning travelers who become ill should seek medical care. These prudent measures will help limit the spread of influenza, as well as many other communicable diseases.

Written by Christian Nordqvist