Geneva, May 22 (Inditop) The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that 41 countries have officially reported 11,168 cases of influenza A (H1N1), known also as swine flu, including 86 deaths.
The US had 5,764 cases, with nine deaths, while Mexico had 3,892 infections, including 75 deaths. Canada had 719 cases, with one death.
Japan reported 294 cases, making it the hardest hit outside North America. In Europe, Spain had the highest number of infections – 113 cases – and Britain had 112.
WHO officials have said poorer countries may not have the resources to detect all cases of the new virus.
Moreover, some countries have implied their priority goal was not to tally all cases but to track its geographic spread and severity.
The 193 WHO member states, attending the ongoing World Health Assembly in Geneva, have spent a significant portion of their time discussing swine flu over the past week.
The members were expected to vote on resolutions in the main plenary Friday, including on pandemic influenza preparedness, after which the WHO would give information on its plans.
The annual assembly, which began Monday, was set to end later Friday.