Tropical region upswing may lead to ‘second wave’

A SENIOR World Health Organisation (WHO) official has warned that an increase in swine flu cases in tropical regions could result in a “second wave” reaching the northern hemisphere over the coming months.

Dr Mike Ryan, WHO director of epidemic and pandemic alert response, said in recent months there had been a decrease incases in areas like Canada and the US.

However, warning that this could mean the virus is going through a “transitional event”, the Irishexpert said there had been an “upswing” in cases in tropical regions which could see a second wave develop later this year.