Swine flu continues to spread, with 8,480 cases worldwide - WHO
08:35, 18 May 2009
MOSCOW. May 18. KAZINFORM. The global caseload of human swine flu cases has reached 8,480 in 39 countries, the World Trade Organization said in an update released on Sunday; Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.
However, the death toll remains unchanged at 72, of which almost all cases are in Mexico and the United States.
The other two fatalities were in Costa Rica and Canada.
Despite the widespread alarm caused by the outbreak of swine flu last month, leading scientists say the virus is a mild strain and only a further mutation would make it a serious threat. Swine flu deaths in Mexico, the worst hit by the virus, are around average for seasonal flu fatalities; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru for full version.