WHO says swine flu deaths rise to nearly 5,000 worldwide

GENEVA — Nearly 5,000 people have reportedly died from swine flu since it emerged this year and developed into a global epidemic, the World Health Organization said Friday.

As Mexico secures this season’s swine flu shots, scientists search for a homegrown vaccine

MEXICO CITY — Grappling with low supplies of swine flu vaccines, President Felipe Calderon persuaded drug makers this week to sell him 30 million doses, while 1,000 Mexicans lined up for an experimental vaccine they hope can speed up supplies.

Production of swine flu vaccine is way behind schedule; 50-year-old technology is blamed

SWIFTWATER, Pa. — The federal government originally promised 120 million doses of swine flu vaccine by now. Only 13 million have come through.

6 months after swine flu virus identified: No doomsday, but this story isn’t over yet

ATLANTA — It was six months ago that scientists discovered an ominous new flu virus, touching off fears of a catastrophic global outbreak that could cause people to drop dead in the streets. Doomsday, of course, never came to pass.

Nations no longer counting pandemic flu cases; last US estimate in July, stuck at 1 million

ATLANTA — U.S. health officials have lost track of how many illnesses and deaths have been caused by the first global flu epidemic in 40 years.

Cuba says civil defense system, free health care _ not vaccine _ keys to containing swine flu

HAVANA — Cuba is ready to use just about everything at its disposal, from its well-oiled civil defense system to the soldiers of a totalitarian government, to keep swine flu cases to a minimum.

Army reports first death from swine flu complications; soldier fell ill in SC basic training

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A 23-year-old soldier from Florida who was in basic training is the Army’s first death from complications of swine flu, officials said Thursday.

Report: If third of population catches swine flu, hospitals in 15 states could run out of room

WASHINGTON — If a third of people wind up catching swine flu, 15 states could run out of hospital beds around the time the outbreak peaks, a new report warns Thursday.

Transportation Department holds summit to find ways of curbing cell phone use by drivers

WASHINGTON — Driving while distracted is a growing peril in a nation reluctant to put down its cell phones and handheld devices even behind the wheel, the Obama administration declared on Wednesday. Officials said Congress and the public must team up to reduce the danger.

UN: 4 million AIDS patients now on drugs, but another 5 million people still need them

LONDON — United Nations health officials estimate about 4 million people who need AIDS drugs worldwide are now getting them, according to a report issued Wednesday.

Johnson & Johnson takes 18 pct stake in Crucell, boosting vaccine, infectious disease position

TRENTON, N.J. — Health care giant Johnson & Johnson is jumping into the increasingly hot vaccine business by taking an 18 percent stake in Dutch biotechnology company Crucell NV and focusing more on preventive medicine.

Michael Jackson’s crystal-studded boots fetch €10,000 at event chaired by sister Janet

MILAN — Crystal-studded boots that Michael Jackson intended to wear on his planned comeback tour fetched euro10,000 ($14,650) at a celebrity fundraiser chaired by his sister, Janet.

Army gives recruits olive-drab hand sanitizer bottles and coughing orders to fight flu threat

FORT JACKSON, S.C. — Soldiers in boot camp are getting something new this year besides rigorous basic training — Army-green bottles of hand sanitizer gel, part of a stepped-up effort by the military to ward off swine and seasonal flu.