News on influenza A(H1N1)
07.05.2009
2.217 confirmed cases in 24 countries
H1N1 is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. The influenza A (H1N1) virus is a new virus subtype that is spreading from human to human. The virus has genes from pig- avian and human influenza A- virus with a combination never seen before.
On May 7th 2009, there have been confirmed 2.217 cases in 24 countries in the world.
There is no evidence of community transmission in Iceland – and no cases have been confirmed. If the influenza virus starts spreading in Iceland there will be antiviral drugs available for all who need it. The symptoms of this new influenza A(H1N1) virus in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
Flu viruses are thought to spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
Internationally, there has been an increase in the number of cases and countries affected. The World Health Organization is advising continued vigilance and is monitoring the virus in cooperation with the European Centre for Disease and Control (ECDC) and the Centres for Desease Control and Prevention (CDC).
|
EU and EFTA |
Confirmed cases |
Deaths |
|
Austria |
1 |
|
|
Denmark |
1 |
|
|
France |
7 (+ 3) |
|
|
Germany |
9 |
|
|
Ireland |
1 |
|
|
Italy |
5 |
|
|
Netherlands |
1 |
|
|
Poland |
1 |
|
|
Portugal |
1 |
|
|
Spain |
81 (+ 8) |
|
|
Sweeden |
1 |
|
|
Switzerland |
1 |
|
|
UK |
32 (+ 4) |
|
|
Total |
142 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outside EU |
Confirmed cases |
Deaths |
|
Canada |
201 (+ 36) |
|
|
Colombia |
1 |
|
|
Costa Rica |
1 |
|
|
El Salvador |
2 |
|
|
Guatemala |
1 |
|
|
Hong Kong |
1 |
|
|
Israel |
4 |
|
|
Mexico |
1.112 (+ 170) |
42 (+ 13) |
|
Republic of Korea |
2 |
|
|
New Zealand |
5 |
|
|
U.S.A. |
745 (+ 342) |
2 (+ 1) |
|
Outside the EU |
2.075 |
44 |
|
|
|
|
|
Confirmed cases/deaths May 7th 2009 |
2.217 |
44 (+ 14) |
The Chief Epidemiologist at the Directorate of Health in Iceland is responsible for health security and general and public measures against communicable diseases and other threats to health. The Civil Protection Department is resonsible for responding to concequences of a influenza pandemic together with the Chief Epidemiologist according to a pandemic response plan.
See also: Questions and answers about influenza A(H1N1) in Icealnd
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