Swine Flu Statistics - Worldometers

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009

WHO: Latest news on pandemic (H1N1) 2009 situation in humans around the world

Public health significance of virus mutation detected in Norway (WHO, 11/20/2009 at 12:00 PM GMT)
The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has informed WHO of a mutation detected in three H1N1 viruses. The viruses were isolated from the first two fatal cases of pandemic influenza in the country and one patient with severe illness.
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 - update 75 (WHO, 11/20/2009 at 04:00 AM GMT)
As of 15 November 2009, worldwide more than 206 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 6770 deaths.
Safety of pandemic vaccines (WHO, 11/19/2009 at 04:00 AM GMT)
To date, WHO has received vaccination information from 16 of around 40 countries conducting national H1N1 pandemic vaccine campaigns. Based on information in these 16 countries, WHO estimates that around 80 million doses of pandemic vaccine have been distributed and around 65 million people have been vaccinated. National immunization campaigns began in Australia and the People’s Republic of China in late September.
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, Ukraine - update 2 (WHO, 11/17/2009 at 05:00 AM GMT)
Preliminary tests reveal no significant changes in the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus based on investigations of samples taken from patients in Ukraine. Analyses are being performed by two WHO influenza collaborating centres as part of the global influenza surveillance network.
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 - update 74 (WHO, 11/13/2009 at 04:00 AM GMT)
As of 8 November 2009, worldwide more than 206 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 6250 deaths.

Sources and methods

Official count
The swine flu death count is updated with the latest official data regarding confirmed cases, deaths, and distribution by country released by the World Health Organization (WHO). For the USA, we also monitor the latest information and statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"Probable" vs "Confirmed" cases
In order to be officially counted, each case that has been preliminarily diagnosed as "probable" must be laboratory confirmed at a central level by WHO-approved laboratory tests as Swine Influenza A/H1N1. For the USA this means passing confirmatory testing at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


Suspected Case	Probable Case	Confirmed Case

A suspected case of S-OIV infection is defined as a person with acute febrile respiratory illness¹ with onset * within 7 days of close contact with a person who is a confirmed case of S-OIV infection, or * within 7 days of travel to community either within the United States or internationally where there are one or more confirmed cases of S-OIV infection, or * resides in a community where there are one or more confirmed cases of S-OIV infection.	A probable case of S-OIV infection is defined as a person with an acute febrile respiratory illness¹ who is positive for influenza A, but negative for H1 and H3 by influenza RT-PCR	A confirmed case of S-OIV infection is defined as a person with an acute febrile respiratory illness¹ with laboratory confirmed S-OIV infection at CDC by one or more of the following tests: 1. real-time RT-PCR 2. viral culture

1. acute febrile respiratory illness is defined as a measured temperature 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 Celsius) and recent onset of at least one of the following: rhinorrhea or nasal congestion, sore throat, or cough.

Source: CDC Interim Guidance on Case Definitions for Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Cases

Time delay
Confirmatory testing results are usually produced within two days. This explains the time delay between the unofficial count of probable cases and the official count that is displayed here. We include only data that has been officially confirmed.

Comparison with the common flu

The three main seasonal flu strains (H3N2, H1N1 and type B) cause 250,000 to 500,000 deaths a year globally (equivalent to 685 to 1,370 deaths per day) according to WHO.

However, the common flu normally affects the very young and the very old, whereas the majority of the swine flu cases have occurred in otherwise healthy young adults. The unusual age group affected, the geographical spread of multiple community outbreaks, and the peculiarity of human cases associated with an animal influenza virus, makes the Influenza A (H1N1) "Swine Flu" particularly worrisome.

References and useful links

Influenza A(H1N1) Pandemic Alert and Response - WHO (World Health Organization) - monitors the threat of an influenza pandemic and coordinates the global response to human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1). Information on the evolving situation, technical guidelines, and up-to-date numbers of cases in the world.
Swine Flu (CDC - U.S.A.) - Swine Influenza (Flu) website updated daily by the United States' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Lists the total number of laboratory confirmed cases and deaths caused by Swine Flu Infection in the USA, state by state.

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