Only 7 swine flu deaths, not 152, says WHO
Posted on April 29, 2009
By Willyloman from the SMH
http://willyloman.wordpress.com/2009/04/29/only-7-swine-flu-deaths-not-152-says-who
A member of the World Health Organization (WHO) has dismissed claims
that more than 150 people have died from swine flu, saying it has
officially recorded only seven deaths around the world.
Vivienne Allan, from WHO’s patient safety program, said the body had
confirmed that worldwide there had been just seven deaths – all in
Mexico – and 79 confirmed cases of the disease.
“Unfortunately that [150-plus deaths] is incorrect information and it
does happen, but that’s not information that’s come from the World
Health Organization,” Ms Allan told ABC Radio today.
“That figure is not a figure that’s come from the World Health
Organization and, I repeat, the death toll is seven and they are all
from Mexico.”
Ms Allan said WHO had confirmed 40 cases of swine flu in the
Americas, 26 in Mexico, six in Canada, two in Spain, two in Britain and
three in New Zealand.
Ms Allan said it was difficult to measure how fast the virus was
spreading.
She said a real concern would be if the flu virus manifested in a
country where a person had had no contact with Mexico, and authorities
were watching all countries for signs of that.
“There is no pattern that has emerged at this stage to be able to say
that it is spreading in a particular way or it is spreading into a
particular country … the situation is continuing to evolve,” she said.
She said the WHO was not recommending against overseas travel, but
urged those who felt sick to stay home and others to ensure they kept
their hands clean.
No decision had yet been made about vaccinations.
“This virus is not airborne, it’s caused by droplets … so it’s not a
time for worry. It’s a time to be prepared,” Ms Allan said. |
