Global General

Special

Newsmaker

Asia Pacific

America

Middle East

Europe

Africa

A(H1N1) confirmed cases continue to rise across world

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-05-26 14:41

BEIJING - The number of A(H1N1) flu cases continued to rise in the world as authorities called for continued vigilance against the new virus.

Mexico's Health Ministry on Monday (local time) confirmed a total of 83 deaths from the A(H1N1) flu in the country, three more from the previous report, and the total number of A(H1N1) virus infections rose to 4,541.

Full coverage:  A(H1N1) Influenza Outbreak Related readings:  Confirmed swine flu cases rise to nine  China reports 12th suspected A(H1N1) flu case  Macao quarantines US visitor for A(H1N1) flu test  Confirmed flu cases keep on rising in Asia-Pacific region More Flu cases reported in China

However, the ministry said the rise of the figures was not caused by any new deaths or infections, but just through confirmation of previously reported suspected cases.

"The flu epidemic continues its downward trend, but it is important to continue with prevention measures," the ministry said in a statement.

In the United States, the number of confirmed and probable A(H1N1) flu cases has risen to 6,764 in 48 states, with 10 deaths, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Monday.

In its previous report on Friday, the number of confirmed and probable cases was 6,552 with nine deaths in 48 states.

The CDC anticipates that there will be more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths associated with this new virus in the coming days and weeks.

In Canada, the total number of confirmed A(H1N1) flu cases has risen to 921, including one death, according to the latest figures released Monday by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Compared with Friday figure, 116 new cases have been added during the past three days.

The Chilean Health Ministry on Monday reported eight new cases of A(H1N1) flu, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 82 in the country, the largest in South America.

Among the new cases, a 32-year-old woman is in grave condition and is being treated at a Santiago health center.

The Peruvian Health Ministry on Monday reported two new cases of A(H1N1) influenza, bringing the total number of the infected to 27.

The newly infected are two 16-year-old students. One was infected by a person coming from Argentina, while the other was infected by a person who had traveled to the Dominican Republic.

Ecuadorian Health Minister Caroline Chang said on Monday that the number of confirmed cases of the A(H1N1) flu has risen from 17 to 24 in the country.

In Europe, 11 new A(H1N1) flu cases were reported.

Of the new cases, four were confirmed in Britain, three in Spain, three in France and one in the Czech Republic, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said in its daily situation report on Monday.

The total number of confirmed cases of the A(H1N1) flu virus in the EU (European Union) and EFTA (European Free Trade Association) countries rose to 360, with 136 cases in Spain and 137 in Britain, 19 each in Italy and France, and 17 in Germany, the ECDC said.

Meanwhile, South Korea's health authorities on Tuesday confirmed an additional case of influenza A(H1N1), bringing the total number of the infected here to 23.

A 28-year-old Korean woman who arrived here from New York via Tokyo on Sunday was detained at the airport after showing symptoms consistent with the new flu, the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs said.

In Hong Kong, a four-year-old boy and his younger sister tested positive for the A(H1N1) virus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the city to nine.

China's Ministry of Health on Tuesday confirmed another new case of A(H1N1)influenza on the mainland, bringing the mainland's total number of confirmed A(H1N1) cases to 12.