24/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - According to the latest information provided by the European Centre of Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) the number of EU and EFTA countries reporting cases of A/H1N1v influenza is today 28 out of 31. Latvia has today reported its first case in a traveller returning from USA. The United Kingdom has the highest number of cases, ahead of Spain, Germany and France. In total, the number of cases (up to 23 June at 5.00pm) was 4459, one of which has died, in the 28 countries examined. Outside of the EU/EFTA, 50,475 cases have been diagnosed with 238 deaths. The number of infections continues to rise in Europe but these remain moderately virulent for the time being. The main symptoms are the same as those for seasonal flu and fever in more than 80% of cases - dry cough, headaches and sore throat, as well as muscular pain. Information supplied from US databases suggest that so far less than 5% of cases are expected to be hospitalised but evolution in the disease in winter presents a host of unknown factors. Those displaying chronic, respiratory, cardiovascular problems or other serious diseases or immunity deficiency, as well as pregnant women and children are the main at-risk groups. (O.J./transl.rh)