Swine flu has now spread to 73 countries with 25,288 people known to have been infected since the disease was first uncovered in April, data from the World Health Organisation showed Monday.
The number of deaths rose to 139 after 14 more deaths were reported, according to the latest WHO tally of confirmed influenza A(H1N1) cases.
Most of the new cases were reported by the United States, with 2,163 new infections, bringing its total caseload to 13,217, including 27 deaths.
Australia also posted a significant rise of 175 cases, bringing its total to 1,051.
Chile likewise saw its caseload grow by 42 to 411 in total.
Flu experts are watching the situation in Australia and Chile carefully as they are part of the southern hemisphere which is entering the flu-prone winter season.
Meanwhile, the Cayman Islands, Dominica and the United Arab Emirates reported a case each to the WHO for the first time.
Trinidad and Tobago also joined the list of countries with infections, after reporting two new cases.
Some affected countries no longer keep track of all cases according to the WHO, while others do not report daily.
The WHO is now only updating its tally three times a week, rather than daily.
(c) 2009 AFP
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