A/H1N1 pandemic death toll rises to 9,596, says WHO

GENEVA, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The death toll of A/H1N1 influenza continues to increase worldwide, reaching at least 9,596 by Dec. 6, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a latest update on Friday.

Of all the deaths, some 6,131 occurred in the Americas, and at least 1,242 occurred in Europe. The other four WHO regions, South-East Asia, West Pacific, East Mediterranean and Africa reported 814, 848, 452 and 109 deaths respectively.

The H1N1 flu virus was first identified in North America in April, and the WHO declared the new influenza as a pandemic in June. So far the virus has caused infections in more than 208 countries and overseas territories or communities.

In the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere pandemic influenza activity has passed its peak in North America and in parts of western, northern, and eastern Europe, but activity continues to increase in parts of central and southeastern Europe, as well as in south and east Asia, according to the latest update.

Influenza transmission remains active in much of western and central Asia and there is evidence of pandemic virus circulation in most regions of Africa, the WHO said.