Content on this page was developed during the 2009-2010 H1N1 pandemic and has not been updated.
- The H1N1 virus that caused that pandemic is now a regular human flu virus and continues to circulate seasonally worldwide.
- The English language content on this website is being archived for historic and reference purposes only.
- For current, updated information on seasonal flu, including information about H1N1, see the CDC Seasonal Flu website.
2009 H1N1 Flu: International Situation Update
August 21, 2009, 11:00 AM ET
This situation report provides an update to the international situation as of August 21, 2009. As of August 13, the World Health Organization (WHO) regions have reported over 182,166 laboratory-confirmed cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (2009 H1N1) with 1,799 deaths. The laboratory-confirmed cases represent an underestimation of total cases in the world as many countries now focus surveillance and laboratory testing only in persons with severe illness. The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus continues to be the dominant influenza virus in circulation in the world. Decreases in disease due to 2009 H1N1 continue to be reported from South America and parts of Australia. The United Kingdom is also reporting national decreases in disease due to 2009 H1N1. In contrast, disease associated with 2009 H1N1 influenza is continuing to increase in southern Africa and more Africa countries have reported their first cases. In addition, 2009 H1N1 continues to circulate in tropical countries.
Selected Highlights
- The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus is the predominant influenza virus in circulation worldwide.
- The epidemiology of the disease caused by the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus in the Southern Hemisphere is very similar to that described in the United States this past spring.
- There have been no significant changes detected in the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus isolated from persons in the Southern Hemisphere as compared to viruses isolated from persons in the Northern Hemisphere.
International Resources for 2009 H1N1 Information
Health Organizations
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control)
- H2P (Humanitarian Pandemic Preparedness)
- Public Health Agency of Canada
World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Offices
- AFRO (WHO Regional Office for Africa)
- AMRO (WHO Regional Office for the Americas) / PAHO (Pan American Health Organization)
- EMRO (WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean)
- EURO (WHO Regional Office for Europe)
- SEARO (WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia)
- WPRO (WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific)
Travel and 2009 H1N1 Flu
Human cases of 2009 H1N1 flu virus infection have been identified in the United States and several countries around the world. For information on 2009 H1N1 flu and travel, see the CDC H1N1 Flu and Travel website.
Reports and Publications
- ECDC Interim Risk Assessment Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Pandemic
Issued July 30, 2009 - This document provides an interim risk assessment of novel H1N1 flu in Europe prepared by ECDC. - World Health Organization Weekly Epidemiological record – Issued July 24, 2009
This document by WHO provides updates on the international novel H1N1 flu situation. - MMWR – Update: Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection – Mexico, March-May, 2009 – Issued June 5, 2009 / Vol. 58 / No. 21.
This Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report describes the novel influenza A (H1N1) outbreak in Mexico from March-May, 2009. - MMWR – Update: Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infections – Worldwide, May 6, 2009 – Issued May 8, 2009 / Vol. 58 / No. 17.
This Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report describes worldwide novel influenza A (H1N1) infections as of May 6, 2009.
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