The World Health Organization says the number of swine influenza A-H1N1 cases around the world has surged above 11,000, including 85 deaths.
Three more deaths have been confirmed in Mexico, the epicenter of the outbreak, while the United States is reporting two more fatalities linked to the virus - a 13-year-old boy in the southwestern state of Arizona and a 21-year-old man in the neighboring state of Utah.
The U.S. death toll has now reached 10 confirmed fatalities.
The U.S. has the greatest number of infections, with nearly 5,500 confirmed cases, while Mexico, with nearly 3,900 cases, has the most deaths with 75.
WHO says the virus has now spread to 41 nations. Cases have been confirmed throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania.
Despite the expanding nature of the outbreak, WHO has not raised its pandemic alert from Phase 5 to the declaration of a pandemic at Phase 6.
Japan confirmed its first case in Tokyo on Wednesday. More than 250 cases have been reported throughout Japan.
Egyptian Health Minister Hatem el-Gabali on Wednesday warned of the dangers posed by the swine flu to millions of Muslim pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia. He said Egypt is considering opening quarantine centers for those returning from the "hajj," the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.
Some information for this report was provided by AP.
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