HIN1 round-up

Swine flu deaths hit 43 in Argentina

Article published on the 2009-07-02 Latest update 2009-07-02 14:53 TU

Subway workers take preventative measures against the H1N1 virus in Buenos Aires.
Photo: REUTERS/Enrique Marcarian

Panic is gripping Argentina, where a public health emergency was declared after the nation's swine flu death toll almost doubled from 26 to 43. The government revised earlier reports on the toll to include a further 17 fatalities.

The south American nation now holds the world's third-highest swine flu death toll, following the United States with 127 and Mexico with 116 deaths.

The epidemic in Argentina - which is in the midst of winter - is being closely followed by health experts because of its comparatively high mortality rate.

Statistics posted by the World Health Organisation Wednesday showed some 77,200 people worldwide had contracted the virus, with 332 deaths.

The largest increase in caseload has occurred in the United Kingdom, where the government has warned cases are doubling every week. It warns this trend could see 100,000 new cases a day by the end of August.

First cases of the illness were reported Thursday in Malta, Uganda and the US Pacific territory of Guam.

Malta said it was well-prepared after two men who returned from Barcelona were confirmed with the virus. Malta had previously been the only EU country without a swine flu case.

In Uganda a 40-year-old British man was confirmed with the flu after arriving a week earlier showing no symptoms.

Guam announced its first case after a US airforce employee returned from Texas with the virus.

Policymakers from 50 countries are gathering in the Caribbean resort of Cancun for a two-day meeting to discuss their response to the crisis.