H1N1 virus spreads to 21 countries

New Delhi: The H1N1 Influenza A virus has hit 21 countries across the world and more than 1,100 people have been infected with the virus.

World Health Organisation (WHO) has also warned countries to not let their guard down but officials in the United States of America say the virus appears to be no more than dangerous than the regular flu virus.

Portugal is the latest country to confirm one case bringing the global total to 1,124 and counting. Despite the virus infecting people in 21 countries, the WHO will wait and watch before raising its pandemic alert level to six.

"A rise in the pandemic alert level from the WHO does not mean that the virus has become any more severe. Rather, it means that it has spread to a number of countries around the globe. In other words, the level is about geography, not severity," said US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

Meanwhile, the epicentre of the outbreak, Mexico says things are getting under control with restaurants and cafes all set to re-open.

Mexican officials lowered their alert level but warned people that the threat posed by the virus still remains. Schools and colleges will also resume by next week.

In the US, in California students are back in school. California had 29 confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus and several schools had closed because of fear of an outbreak. But with almost 36 states now reporting swine flu cases the US remains on alert.

While no new cases have been reported in Hong Kong, but the controversy rages on over the 300 guests quarantined inside a hotel for four days.

An amateur video shot inside shows guests hanging around the lobby with face masks, magazines, breads and takeaway boxes.

Meanwhile, an AeroMexico plane landed in Shanghai to evacuate Mexicans stranded in China.

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