(1100 HRS PST)
The next update will be on Monday, June 15, at 08:30 PST
The WHO Pandemic Alert level remains at Phase 6
Influenza A (H1N1) Cases and Deaths by Country (as of 9 AM PST, June 14th)
*This case map has been provided by the WHO’s Influenza A (H1N1) – Update #48. New case information can be found in both the local/national and international news sections.
Local/National News
- On June 12th, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) announced that the number of confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) since June 10th has risen to 3513 from 2978. Ontario still has the most cases in Canada (1781), followed by Quebec (706), Saskatchewan (270), Alberta (240), British Columbia (167), Nunavut (145), Manitoba (119), Nova Scotia (79), PEI (3), New Brunswick (2), Northwest Territories (2), and the Yukon (1). Of the Canadian cases thus far, 182 required hospitalization and four deaths have occurred. PHAC
International News
- Following the pandemic declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urged businesses to review their pandemic plans to make sure they're flexible enough to respond to a moderate or severe pandemic. Lisa Koonin, MN, MPH, a senior adviser with the CDC's influenza coordination unit, said that because influenza viruses are so unpredictable and the pandemic may change or become more severe in the fall, now is the time for businesses to revise pandemic plans or begin developing one if they don't already have one. CIDRAP
- A private school in San Diego County says 36 of its students are being quarantined in China while being tested for the H1N1 flu virus. Eileen Mullady, head of Pacific Ridge School in Carlsbad, says the ninth graders were at the end of a 13-day educational tour of the country when a few students developed the sniffles. She said Chinese health officials decided on Thursday to place the students, along with seven chaperones, under quarantine in a hotel. Mercury News
Today’s Key Question
Does the World Health Organization (WHO) expect the severity of the Influenza A (H1N1) to change over time?
On June 11th 2009, the WHO announced that the world was officially in the midst of a pandemic. The WHO’s Director General, Margaret Chan, asserted in her statement to the world, that the WHO, thanks to close monitoring, careful investigation, and open reporting, has obtained somewhat of a picture of the virus’ spread and the range of illness it is capable of causing. Because of this, the WHO has reason to believe that this pandemic, at least at present, will be of moderate severity. However, Chan warned that the virus is that which “writes the rules,” and, like other influenza viruses, this virus may, without warning, change these rules.
With this in mind, Chan asked that counties prepare to see cases, or the further spread of cases, in the near future. She also warned those countries in which the virus has appeared to have peaked, to be prepared for a second wave of illness, while countries with only a few reported cases should remain vigilant. In summary, the WHO cannot presently predict whether or not the severity of H1N1 will worsen, however, they acknowledge this possibility and are advocating continued awareness, surveillance and monitoring. WHO
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