H1N1 flu cases pass 15,000 mark
Posted: 30 May 2009 0029 hrs

	Photos  of
	Special Report • Flu Outbreak

GENEVA - H1N1 flu has now infected 15,510 people in 53 countries since it was first uncovered last month in the United States and Mexico, the World Health Organisation said Friday.

The number of deaths rose to 99 after two more deaths were reported by Mexico and one each was reported by Canada and the United States, according to the latest WHO tally of confirmed influenza A(H1N1) cases.

Most of the new cases were reported by the United States, with 1,163 new infections, bringing its total to 7,927.

Mexico also posted a significant rise of 369 cases, bringing its total to 4,910.

In the southern hemisphere, where winter and the regular flu season is starting, Australia reported 108 new infections and Chile 79 new cases.

Meanwhile, the Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Romania, Slovakia and Uruguay reported cases to the WHO for the first time.

Slovakia and Czech Republic posted a case each, Uruguay and Dominican Republic had two cases each and Romania reported three.

Some affected countries no longer keep track of all cases according to the WHO, while others do not report daily.

The WHO is now only updating its tally thrice a week, rather than daily.

- AFP /ls