SWINE FLU

SWINE FLU

Worldwide developments

Developments on swine-flu outbreaks, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO and the government officials:

Deaths: Global total of 76 — 68 in Mexico, six in U.S., one in Canada and one in Costa Rica. Officials said victims from Canada, U.S. and Costa Rica also had other medical conditions.

Confirmed cases: WHO says 40 countries have reported more than 8,829 cases, mostly in U.S. and Mexico.

CDC says 46 U.S. states plus District of Columbia have combined 5,123 confirmed and probable cases. Most probable cases are eventually confirmed.

As WHO opens its annual meeting in Geneva, China, Britain, Japan and other countries urge the organization to be very cautious about declaring the arrival of a swine-flu pandemic, fearing that a premature announcement could cause worldwide panic and confusion. WHO chief says she listened carefully to member states’ concerns and will follow their instructions.

Acting CDC director says the outbreak is “not winding down” in the United States and “widespread transmission” continues. He says the epidemic is not over in Mexico.

A high school assistant principal has become the first New York City death linked to the outbreak. He had been sick for nearly a week before his school was closed Thursday.

A wave of new confirmations sends the number of swine flu cases in Japan soaring to 135, health officials say, prompting the government to order the closure of nearly 2,000 schools and the cancellation of community events.

South Korea quarantines a Vietnamese traveler after preliminary tests show she probably has swine flu.

Associated Press