WHO confirms flu in 17 countries

The World Health Organisation said on Sunday its laboratories had identified a total of 787 H1N1 flu infections in 17 countries, including one case in Ireland, and said there were 19 confirmed deaths in Mexico. The WHO’s toll lags national reports about the virus but is considered more scientifically secure. Read more

Swine flu death toll heartens nervous world

New laboratory data showed fewer people have died in Mexico than first thought from a new influenza strain, a glint of good news for a world rattled by the threat of a flu pandemic. Mexico cut its suspected death toll from the H1N1 flu to up to 101 from as many as 176, as dozens of test samples came back negative. Read more