Error processing SSI file

2009 H1N1 Flu: International Situation Update

January 22, 2010, 5:30 PM ET

  • This report provides an update to the international pandemic influenza 2009 H1N1situation as of January 22, 2010. The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to report laboratory-confirmed 2009 H1N1 flu cases and deaths on its Web page. These laboratory-confirmed cases represent a substantial underestimation of total cases in the world, as most countries are focusing testing only on people with severe illness. The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus continues to be the dominant influenza virus in circulation in the world. For the most recent period reported by WHO FluNet, January 3, 2010 to January 9, 2010, 74.6% of influenza positive specimens were typed as influenza A and 18.2% as influenza B. Out of all subtyped influenza A viruses, 97.2% were 2009 H1N1 positive.
  • In temperate regions of the Southern Hemisphere, sporadic cases of 2009 H1N1 continue to be reported but no substantial increases in influenza activity have been observed. In the temperate and tropical regions of the Americas, H1N1 activity continues to decrease or remain low. In North Africa, limited data suggests 2009 H1N1 transmission remains geographically widespread and active, but has likely recently peaked in most areas. Transmission of 2009 H1N1 also continues to be geographically widespread across parts of Western, Central, and Southeastern Europe, and East- and West- Asia, but overall rates appear to be low or declining.

Selected Highlights

  • The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus is the predominant influenza virus in circulation worldwide.
  • According to WHO, the majority of 2009 H1N1 influenza isolates tested worldwide remain sensitive to oseltamivir, an antiviral medicine used to treat influenza disease. To date, 206 cases of oseltamivir-resistant 2009 H1N1 have been reported – 54 of these were detected in the United States.

International Resources for 2009 H1N1 Information

Health Organizations

World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Offices

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

Contact Us:
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    1600 Clifton Rd
    Atlanta, GA 30333
  • 800-CDC-INFO
    (800-232-4636)
    TTY: (888) 232-6348
  • Contact CDC-INFO