A/H1N1 pandemic death toll rises to 11,516, says WHO

GENEVA, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least 11,516 people worldwide have been killed by the A/H1N1 influenza since the disease first emerged in April, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday.

Of all the deaths, some 6,670 occurred in the Americas and at least 2,045 occurred in Europe. The other four WHO regions -- Western Pacific, South-East Asia, East Mediterranean and Africa --reported 1,039, 990, 663 and 109 deaths respectively.

The reported number of fatal cases is an under representation of the actual numbers as many deaths are never tested or recognized as influenza related, the WHO noted in its latest update of the situation.

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, transmission of pandemic influenza virus remains active and geographically widespread, the WHO said.

While overall disease activity has recently peaked in much of the hemisphere, there continues to be increases in influenza activity in later affected areas of central and eastern Europe, and in parts of west, central, and south Asia, it added.