10 countries report high pandemic (H1N1) 2009 activity

During the period 27 October to 4 November, very high pandemic activity was reported in Iceland, Ireland and the Russian Federation (Urals region) and high activity in Belarus, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Norway, Italy, the Russian Federation (far eastern, Siberian, north-western and central regions), Sweden and the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland only).

In addition, there were 41 deaths in 11 countries associated with laboratory-confirmed pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection. This raises the total number of deaths reported in the WHO European Region since April 2009 to 326 (1).

Situation in Ukraine

On 4 November, the Minister of Health of Ukraine reported 70 deaths, with 235 patients in a critical condition. Lviv, in the western part of the country, has experienced a greater intensity of disease. A WHO team of nine experts is investigating the outbreak at the request of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. Preliminary reports indicate that the rapidly evolving situation in the country is mainly related to pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza.

Infection of farm animals with the pandemic virus

WHO has published information on the infection of farm animals with the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus. To date, extensive testing by laboratories in the WHO influenza surveillance network has detected no signs that the virus has mutated to a more virulent form. Currently licensed pandemic vaccines closely match circulating viruses and are expected to confer good protection.

(1) Figure amended on 16 November 2009.