Swine flu dilemma reaches a shocking 10,000 cases

by Miranda Holmes on May 20th, 2009 · posted in Uncategorized · No Comments

The Swine flu virus is spreading at such an alarming rate – especially in countries such as Asia and America.

This situation has prompted United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon to implore people to remain on their guard against the dreaded Swine flu as last Tuesday; the number of Swine flu cases around the world has shockingly increased up to almost 10,000.

“That is why the world must remain vigilant and alert to the warning signs.” Ban addresses the World Health Organization’s annual assembly in Geneva.

According to Sydney Morning Herald, the UN health agency advised that cases had soared by more than 1000 since Monday with 9830 infections now in 40 countries, including 79 deaths.

Officials declared that Japan has already reported 193 swine flu infections as of Tuesday, forcing up closure of more than 4,000 schools, colleges and kindergartens for the rest of the week.

Last Tuesday, New York medical authorities were also investigating whether the Swine flu killed a 16-month-old boy who passed away due to high fever.

“We don’t know yet whether the child who died contracted the H1N1 virus … t he tests won’t be done till later today or tomorrow.” Mayor Michael Bloomberg addressed a press conference.

Mexico has already been devastated with 72 deaths caused by the Swine flu, and United States also witnessed six people killed by the flu, one each in Canada and Costa Rica.

In response to these alarming statistics, officials advised that about 30 vaccine makers from 19 industrialized and emergent countries were invited by the WHO to specific deliberations, where the focus of the discussion was primarily on the cost of the vaccine and its accessibility to the most susceptible countries. The WHO has been contemplating on closing down production of the seasonal flu virus to enable vaccine makers to produce the much needed swine flu vaccine.

Swiss pharmaceutical group Novartis advised that it had already received samples of the new A (H1N1) influenza virus and was just waiting for the go ahead from WHO to enable them to start a mass production of the vaccine.

A spokesman however said that it would take at least three to four weeks to get the production of the vaccine up and running.