World Health Organization officials are increasingly concerned regarding the spread of swine flu and the reports of a growing number of people listed in serious condition. Since the outbreak of the disease in April, 816 people died worldwide, that is until last week. In the last week, the fatalities attributed to the disease and its complications reached 338 worldwide, prompting growing concerns among WHO experts. The official number of people infected is reported at 162,000, but WHO officials feel that actual number is most likely significantly higher. WHO estimates that 15%-30% of the world population will be infected by swine flu at some point, with reports of first fatalities coming from countries including Holland and India.

Israel is becoming increasingly concerned too, with Afula’s Ha’emek Hospital releasing a statement to the media on Tuesday urging anyone who does not have to come to the hospital to stay far away to prevent infection.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)