WHO: 985 confirmed flu cases

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 4 (UPI) -- Twenty countries officially reported 985 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu infections at midday Monday, the World Health Organization in Geneva said.

Mexico, the outbreak's epicenter, reported 590 lab-confirmed human cases, including 25 deaths, WHO said on its Web site.

The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta reported at midday Monday 286 lab-confirmed H1N1 flu cases in 36 states, including one death, a child from Mexico visiting Texas last week.

"The higher number of cases from Mexico reflects ongoing testing of previously collected specimens," WHO said.

WHO said the breakdown of countries and reported cases without deaths was Canada, 85; Spain, 40; Britain; 15; Germany, eight; New Zealand, four; Israel, three; El Salvador and France, two each; Austria Hong Kong, Costa Rica, Colombia, Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands, South Korea and Switzerland, one each.

WHO, a U.N. agency that acts as a coordinator for international public health, also reminded people, "There is no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products."

The pandemic flu alert is Phase 5, the second-highest level. However, WHO officials advised no restrictions on regular travel or border closings.

The United Nations doesn't plan to raise the alert level to Phase 6 at this time, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Monday, stressing the need for vigilance and preparedness as the outbreak continues to evolve.

"There is still much that is not known about this new strain and the dangers it poses," Ban said. "We must pay close attention to the advice of the World Health Organization."