EUR: UN swine flu tally approaches 40,000
19 Jun 2009 3:57 AM
GENEVA, June 18 AFP - Swine flu has infected nearly 40,000 people around the world in 89 countries and territories, causing 167 deaths since late March, latest World Health Organisation data shows.
Since the last data released on Monday, about 3,692 new cases of A(H1N1) virus were reported, taking the total to 39,620, along with four more deaths, including three in Canada and one in Argentina.
The biggest jump in cases was recorded in Canada, where the tally went up by about one-third to 4,049 cases.
The disease also gained ground in the southern hemisphere, with 641 new cases in Chile (total 2,335), and 390 more in Argentina (733).
In the Asia-Pacific region, Australia remained the most infected country with 2,112 cases, an increase of 289 since Monday, while Thailand reported a surge in its caseload from 29 to 310 and the Philippines recorded 116 new cases (total 193).
The United States remains the most infected country with 17,855 cases. The US death toll was reduced by one to 44 following an unspecified closer analysis.
The disease also progressed in Britain with 235 additional cases (total 1,461) and one death.
Some affected countries no longer keep track of all cases, according to the UN health agency, while others do not report for each of the thrice-weekly bulletins.
The WHO on Thursday also started separate counts for overseas dependent territories such as Bermuda and Jersey, which are British possessions, and French Polynesia and several Caribbean islands.
