The WHO on Friday announced "it had delivered the first doses of H1N1 [swine flu] vaccine to Cuba, and a dozen countries in Africa would receive millions of doses in coming weeks," Reuters reports. According to WHO spokeswoman Karen Mah, Cuba received an estimated 1.1 million doses Wednesday, and Honduras and El Salvador shipments are "en route," according to the news service.

The WHO's emergency committee concluded Tuesday that it was too early to declare that H1N1 (swine flu) has peaked in all parts of the world, the Associated Press reports. The announcement came after the committee met to review the most recent statistics of H1N1 activity around the world (2/24).

During a video address to the 7th U.S.-Islamic World Forum meeting in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday, President Barack Obama appointed Rashad Hussain, deputy associate White House counsel, to serve as Special Envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the Associated Press reports.

The WHO will convene a meeting of its emergency committee later this month to assess whether H1N1 (swine flu) has peaked, Keiji Fukuda, the special adviser to the WHO's director general for pandemic influenza, said Thursday, Bloomberg reports. "While the flu continues to spread in parts of the world, notably northern Africa, eastern Europe and eastern Asia, infection activity is declining, [Fukuda] said," according to Bloomberg (Serafino, 2/11).

U.S. Isn't Backing Off Its Commitments To International Health

President Barack Obama's FY2011 budget demonstrates that the U.S. "isn't backing off its commitment to aid other nations," according to a VOA News editorial by the U.S. government. "Specifically, President Obama is proposing to boost U.S. efforts to promote health and well-being in developing countries.

Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jim Bishop, is calling on GPs to promote vaccination against the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza to their patients before the flu season begins in Australia .

Professor Bishop has enlisted the support of his GP Roundtable, which includes representatives of the AMA, RACGP and the GP Network and he is writing to all GPs in Australia to ask them to proactively promote vaccination for all people aged 6 months and above in an effort to stop the spread of swine flu which is expected to be the dominant influenza strain in 2010.

WHO spokesman, Gregory Hartl, said in a new briefing that the H1N1 flu pandemic (swine flu) continues to spread in parts of eastern and southeastern Europe, parts of Asia, and North Africa. However, he added that globally it is generally declining.

The H1N1 pandemic virus continues to be the main influenza virus circulating globally. WHO (World Health Organization) said the virus is a health risk to people with underlying conditions, such as asthma, as well as pregnant women.

The European Vaccine Manufacturers group (EVM) welcomed the opportunity to address today's Council of Europe Health Committee hearing on 'The handling of the H1N1 pandemic: more transparency needed?' EVM was pleased to provide information on industry's role in helping combat pandemic influenza, and sought to address many of the misunderstandings that exist regarding the pandemic planning process.

Long-Term Rebuilding Strategy 'Vital' To Haiti  

An Economist editorial examines the relief and recovery efforts in Haiti and the "vital" importance of planning for rebuilding the country "before the world's generosity turns to cynicism. Fortunately there is a blueprint, drawn up by Haiti's government and presented to donors last year. It calls for investment to be targeted on infrastructure, basic services and combating soil erosion to make farmers more productive and the country less vulnerable to hurricanes. The pressing question is who should do it and how."

Keiji Fukuda, the special adviser to the WHO director general on pandemic influenza, on Thursday dismissed allegations that the agency exaggerated the threat of the H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic and has been influenced by the pharmaceutical industry, the Washington Post reports. Fukuda's defense came amid reports this week that the Council of Europe will investigate the WHO's actions and as several countries slash H1N1 vaccine orders.