Global Swine Flu Cases Rise by 1,000
By VOA News
15 May 2009
The World Health Organization says the number of confirmed swine influenza A-H1N1 cases around the world has risen by more than 1,000 in one day.
The WHO reported Friday 7,520 confirmed cases of the illness in 34 countries.
In addition to those countries, Malaysia on Friday confirmed its first case, while Peru confirmed its first on Thursday.
The Malaysian Health Ministry says a 21-year-old student was hospitalized Thursday, one day after returning from the United States. It says the patient is in stable condition.
The World Health Organization says the virus has killed 65 people, with most of the deaths in Mexico.
The WHO says the outbreak has not become a pandemic, and it is not recommending travel restrictions related to the virus.
The agency says the virus has killed 60 people in Mexico, three in the United States, one in Canada and one in Costa Rica. In addition, the U.S. state of Arizona is also reporting that a woman suffering from a lung condition died from the virus.
Meanwhile, New York City has shut down three schools for a week in response to a new outbreak in the city. A school staff member has been hospitalized in critical condition, and several students have been infected.
The strain appeared last month in New York City, sickening dozens of students who had visited Mexico. Students at two other schools also became ill.
Argentina has authorized the resumption of flights from Mexico following a two-week suspension. Peru also has lifted a ban on flights to and from Mexico.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
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