Nov 17 (Reuters) - Here are some details about measures taken to fight the H1N1 swine flu, a mixture of swine, bird and human viruses and which has killed more than 7,000 people globally, according to the latest European Centre for Disease prevention and Control (ECDC) tallies.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared an H1N1 pandemic on June 11, indicating the first influenza pandemic since 1968 was underway.
The H1N1 pandemic flu virus could kill up to 40,000 people across Europe and be followed by seasonal flu waves that could kill the same number, European health experts have said.
The WHO has advised governments to prepare for a long-term battle against the virus. Here are some details about some new measures taken around Europe.
* LATEST MEASURES BY GOVERNMENTS:
CROATIA - A vaccination programme for seasonal flu started on Nov. 5 and the health authorities have urged all citizens to take part. The health ministry has said vaccines against the H1N1 flu virus, ordered from the Swiss company Novartis, are expected to arrive to Croatia in early December.
CYPRUS: Immunisation of around 50 percent of the population will start on Nov. 23 with high risk groups taking priority. nearly all schools in the Turkish-held areas have shut down over the past few weeks until Nov. 23.
-- About 5,000 vaccinations from Turkey have been shipped over and given to the elderly and infirm and another 250,000 doses are available which just about covers the whole population in the north.
FINLAND - Finland's National Institute for Health and Welfare has said the country has received close to one million doses of H1N1 vaccine. Currently those considered at high risk (e.g. small children, the elderly and pregnant women) are being vaccinated, with a roll-out to broader groups planned in the coming weeks.
GREECE - Greece started vaccinating doctors, health workers, the elderly and the sick against swine flu on Nov. 16. Greece, which receives about 15 million tourists every year, has said it will vaccinate its entire population of 12 million against the H1N1 virus.
-- Greece has already placed orders with Novartis, Glaxo and Sanofi for 8 million vaccine doses, to be gradually received by January.
SLOVAKIA - Slovaks still missing a contract on H1N1 vaccines, but the health care ministry has said it will sign a deal by the end of the year. Some schools have been closed - but this was more related to the spreading seasonal flu.
-- The Slovaks have closed all but one check point, for cars and trucks, with Ukraine to limit a possible outbreak due to the influenza epidemic in Ukraine.
SPAIN - Spain started vaccinating on Nov. 16. The aim is for up to 10 million doses to be applied to risk groups and essential workers including sufferers of chronic illnesses, health workers, the military and pregnant women. The vaccine will be available in public health centres.
TURKEY - So far some 250,000 people have been vaccinated in a programme starting with health sector workers and Muslim pilgrims travelling to Mecca. There was no threat to life in any of the vaccinations so far.
-- From Oct. 16, health authorities have begun a programme to vaccinate children between the ages of six months and five years old and people of all ages who have chronic illnesses.
* SOME NUMBERS:
TOTAL REPORTED DEATHS: 7,051*
REGIONAL BREAKDOWN:
AREA TOTAL DEATHS:
EU AND EFTA COUNTRIES 501
OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES & CENTRAL ASIA 62
MEDITERRANEAN AND MIDDLE-EAST 354
AFRICA 108
NORTH AMERICA 1,766
CENTRAL AMERICA & CARIBBEAN 170
SOUTH AMERICA 2,759
NORTH-EAST & SOUTH ASIA 751
SOUTH-EAST ASIA 366
AUSTRALIA & PACIFIC 214
* NOTE: Deaths reported to ECDC Sources: Reuters/ECDC: (Writing by David Cutler, London Editorial Reference Unit;