Swine flu toll rises, WHO urges vigilance
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Geneva, May 5, IRNA -- The number of swine flu victims topped the 1,000 mark as the World Health Organization urged countries to remain vigilant over the outbreak.
The World Health Organization has confirmed 1,003 cases of swine flu reported across 20 countries.
WHO chief Margaret Chan said: "We do not know how long we will have until we move to level six," adding: "We are not there yet."
A hike to level six would declare a pandemic - a disease spreading rapidly in more than one area - but this would only reflect views on how the virus was spreading, not how bad its effects are.
Mexico said it is finally getting the upper hand on the outbreak and is poised to lift a crippling economic shutdown on public venues and activities.
Restaurants in Mexico City have been permitted to reopen on Wednesday and museums and religious centers the following day, authorities confirmed.
President Felipe Calderon said: "We have been able to hold or at least reduce the rate of propagation of the virus to contain the epidemic."
South Korea confirmed Asia's second case over the weekend, but said the woman - a nun who had visited Mexico - had already recovered.
Officials have confirmed two new cases of swine flu in France.
Spain raised the number of confirmed swine flu cases to 44 and has 67 people under observation.
New Zealand reported a fifth confirmed case of the virus which mixes swine, avian and human flu strains, along with 12 probable cases.
It comes 10 days after a group of high school students returned from Mexico with the first confirmed cases of the illness, sparking a nationwide alert.
Turkey denied media reports that a patient who died in hospital was a victim of swine flu.
The virus has been confirmed in Mexico, the US, Canada, Spain, the UK, Germany, New Zealand, Italy, France, Israel, South Korea, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ireland, Switzerland, Austria, Hong Kong, Denmark and Holland.
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