Cases of AH1N1 Flu at 787 Worldwide
SWITZERLAND: The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned on Sunday
that the number of AH1N1 flu virus cases is still growing with 787 cases
confirmed in 17 nations.
Mexico is still the most affected with 506 cases reported and 19
deaths, followed by the United States with 160 cases and one death (a
23-old-month baby of Mexican origin). Spain has reported 20 confirmed
cases, Britain has 16 cases and Germany eight.
WHO also confirmed the virus has reached a swine herd in Alberta,
Canada, which was likely infected by a farm worker who returned from
Mexico.
WHO is not yet recommending travel restrictions or border closing,
although it has advised people with flu symptoms to avoid travelling.
It also pointed out there is no risk of infection from eating pork
meat. Meanwhile the scientific community is investigating the origin of
the new virus with human and avian DNA strains and two types of swines
(Euro-Asian and American), although those animals have shown no sign of
being infected.
Experts are also trying to determine who was the first human that
became infected, since there have been speculations over a Mexican
child, but such hypothesis has been denied in the United States.
Marie-Paule Kieny, WHO director of the Initiative for Vaccine
Researchn, said the virus detected in Mexico, United States and Europe
is the same in 99 percent of its genome.
"We can say itA's the same virus. We do not have any satisfactory
explanation of why the symptoms are more serious in Mexico than in other
countries," she emphasized.
We are just waiting for the new researches and creation of a vaccine
planned for four or six month while WHO recommended to increase health
measures.
Wash your hands frequently, do not touch your eyes, mouth and nose
and if sneezing cover your mouth and nose with disposable handkerchief
are some of the measures.
- Geneva, Prensa Latina |