H1N1 virus

Flu cases continue across Asia

Article published on the 2009-06-24 Latest update 2009-06-24 12:10 TU

People ride past a billboard carrying messages on prevention of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus, formerly known as swine flu, in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad earlier this month.
(Photo: Reuters)

Cambodia and the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed the country's first case of AH1N1 flu on Wednesday when an American girl tested positive, while on a visit.

The girl arrived in Cambodia last Friday and developed the symptoms a day later but Cambodia's Ministry of Health said the girl was recovering in hospital and that the school group which she came with was under observation.

In Bangladesh on Wednesday health authorities put the number of people infected at seven, one week after the first case was confirmed in a teenager who had recently returned from the US.

The country's Disease Control Centre said all the cases were in people under the age of 20 and described the cases as "mild".

Also on Wednesday, Indonesia said that it was concerned that Australian tourists might bring the flu to the island of Bali, with Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari saying she was "very worried" about Australian travellers.

Indonesia has recently confirmed its first two cases of the flu and Supari said both patients were recovering, adding that "no Indonesians have been infected with swine flu here. It has all come from outside".

Australia meanwhile confirmed its third death from the virus on Wednesay. All three cases have had underlying medical problems.

Australia currently has close to 3,000 cases of the flu and the country's Medical Association says it is concerned about the flu getting "into remote communities". 

It says that "some of the unerlying health problems in communities, such as diabetes and renal disorders, make Aboriginal people extremely vulnerable tot he virus".

231 people have died around the world and over 52,000 people have been infected since the virus appeared last April.