Swine flu update

As per the update of 6 July, a total of 94,512 laboratory-confirmed cases of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and 429 deaths have been reported to the WHO from 135 countries.

As of 14 July 2009, A total of 4,473 laboratory-confirmed cases of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 have been reported from seven (South-East Asia Region (SEAR) countries. Twenty four deaths from the virus have been reported from Thailand. No other deaths have been reported in the Region. The countries in the South-East Asia Region with confirmed cases are as follows: 22 in Bangladesh; 229 in India; 112 in Indonesia; 2 in Myanmar; 14 in Nepal; 37 in Sri Lanka, 4,057 in Thailand

Some instances of the antiviral drug Oseltamivir (known as Tamiflu) drug resistance are reported. It appears to represent sporadic cases of resistance. As of now, there is no evidence to indicate the development of widespread antiviral resistance among pandemic H1N1 viruses. Based on this risk assessment, there are no changes in WHO's clinical treatment guidance.

The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization held an extraordinary meeting on July 7 in Geneva to discuss issues and make recommendations related to vaccine for the pandemic (H1N1) 2009. Although the severity of the pandemic is currently considered to be moderate with most patients experiencing uncomplicated, self-limited illness, some groups such as pregnant women and persons with asthma and other chronic conditions such as morbid obesity appear to be at increased risk for severe disease and death from infection.

Since the spread of the pandemic virus is considered unstoppable, vaccine will be needed in all countries. As vaccines available initially will not be sufficient, a step-wise approach to vaccinate particular groups may be considered. The following recommendations were provided to the WHO Director-General:

All countries should immunize their health-care workers as a first priority to protect the essential health infrastructure. SAGE suggested the following groups for consideration, noting that countries need to determine their order of priority based on country-specific conditions: pregnant women; those aged above 6 months with one of several chronic medical conditions; healthy young adults of 15 to 49 years of age; healthy children; healthy adults of 50 to 64 years of age; and healthy adults of 65 years of age and above.