In view of the threat posed by the current outbreak of new influenza A (H1N1), the Director-General of the World Health Organization convened a High-Level Consultation for all Member States at the start of the Sixty-second World Health Assembly.
The consultation provided an opportunity for Member States to share experiences, to discuss lessons learnt, and to highlight the challenges that now confront the world community. The list of main speakers and programme is given in the Annex. As at 18 May 2009, 40 countries have officially reported 8829 laboratory-confirmed cases of new influenza A (H1N1) infection.
Countries reporting the largest number of confirmed cases include:
The consultation provided an opportunity for Member States to share experiences, to discuss lessons learnt, and to highlight the challenges that now confront the world community. The list of main speakers and programme is given in the Annex. As at 18 May 2009, 40 countries have officially reported 8829 laboratory-confirmed cases of new influenza A (H1N1) infection.
Countries reporting the largest number of confirmed cases include:
- The United States of America 4714
- Mexico 3103
- Canada 496
- Japan 125
- Spain 103
- Great Britain and Northern Ireland 101
Together these six countries account for 97.9% of the total number of confirmed cases. A total of 74 new influenza A (H1N1) infection-related deaths have been reported from four countries :
- Mexico 68
- United States of America 4
- Canada 1
- Costa Rica 1
The majority of deaths have occurred in persons below 60 years of age. The virus is transmitted sufficiently easily from person-to-person to sustain institutional and community outbreaks and to spread regionally. Most cases of new influenza A (H1N1) infection seem to be mild and self-limited and do not require admission to hospital. However, severe illness and death have been reported in a small proportion of cases.
In seasonal influenza, the overwhelming majority of severe morbidity and mortality occur in persons of 65 years of age or more. However, with new influenza A (H1N1), a substantial proportion of the cases of severe illness and death has occurred among young and previously healthy adults.
In addition, severe illness and deaths have also been reported in adults with underlying medical conditions including: chronic lung or cardiovascular disease, diabetes, immunodeficiencies and obesity. Moreover, pregnant women may be at increased risk of complications from new influenza A. WHO.
In seasonal influenza, the overwhelming majority of severe morbidity and mortality occur in persons of 65 years of age or more. However, with new influenza A (H1N1), a substantial proportion of the cases of severe illness and death has occurred among young and previously healthy adults.
In addition, severe illness and deaths have also been reported in adults with underlying medical conditions including: chronic lung or cardiovascular disease, diabetes, immunodeficiencies and obesity. Moreover, pregnant women may be at increased risk of complications from new influenza A. WHO.
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