Geneva: The number of swine flu deaths
jumped by 700 in a week, reaching more than 5,700 worldwide
since the virus was first uncovered in April, World Health
Organisation data indicated on Friday.
The biggest rise was recorded in the Americas region,
where 4,175 deaths have now been reported to the WHO, up 636
from data published last week.
"In the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere,
influenza transmission continues to intensify, marking an
unusually early start to winter influenza season in some
countries," said the WHO.
Fatal cases in Europe also climbed to at least 281, while
those in Asia-Pacific rose to 1,070.
Amid the mounting death toll, the WHO said in a separate
statement that experts concluded after a meeting this week
that a single dose of swine flu vaccine would provide
sufficient immunity against the A(H1N1) virus.
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These vaccines were found to be safe for usage by
pregnant women and can also be administered alongside seasonal
flu vaccines, according to conclusions drawn from the meeting.
While clinical data was limited on the effects of
vaccination on children under the age of 10, the WHO said that
countries should give a single dose to as many children as
possible rather than vaccinating only half of the young
population with two shots each.
Bureau Report