Iraqi health authorities confirmed yesterday that six people recently returned from the US have tested positive for H1N1 epidemic or swine flu, making this the first lab confirmed cases in the country. Iraq’s Health Minister Saleh Al-Hasnawi told a news conference reported by Reuters that: “Today, six cases of this epidemic flu, H1N1, have been diagnosed in our ministry’s central lab.

The six female patients, all members of the Iraqi women’s national basketball team had been competing in Chicago, US, and flew back on 20 June. A seventh member of the team is also infected but this was discovered in neighbouring Jordan, where the team stopped on their return to Iraq, so she is being treated there.

The health minister mentioned another confirmed case of swine flu in a member of the US military-led multinational force but gave no further details other than the case had been confirmed on Wednesday.

Iraq does not yet feature on the latest swine flu global update from the World Health Organization which as of yesterday morning, 24 June, reported 55,867 global confirmed cases of novel H1N1 swine flu including 238 deaths.

The United States continues to dominate the WHO figures, with 21,449 total confirmed cases, including 87 deaths.

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The Ministry of Health in Iran has reported the country’s first confirmed case of H1N1 swine flu, in a 16 year-old Iranian boy who lives in the US and was visiting Iran. According to a statement from the Ministry of Health released through the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), the boy entered the country with symptoms of “respiratory infection” and tests confirmed “the contraction” of the virus.

The statement, reported by the Associated Press, said the boy was reponding well to treatment and his general situation was now “satisfactory”.

The Iranian Health Ministry has advised people in Iran to avoid unnecessary travel to countries with a high rate of swine flu infection, such as Mexico, Canada, the Philippines, Thailand, Britain and Germany, reported Xinhua news agency.

The Iranian government has set up a committee that includes four ministers and two vice presidents to oversee management of the flu epidemic in the country.

According to the latest update from the World Health Organization issued earlier today, the number of officially confirmed cases of novel H1N1 swine flu worldwide now totals 52,160, including 231 deaths.

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Market Watch

CHICAGO, Jun 15, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Increased incidence of animal viruses and diseases, such as H1N1, will continue to result in temporary sporadic trade bans on U.S. proteins, according to a new report issued by Fitch Ratings today. Export markets are a significant source of cash flow for U.S. protein processors; therefore, the negative affects of these restrictions could significantly impair credit profiles in the industry.

According to the report, a decline in international demand for U.S. proteins can cause a back-up in inventory and a significant reduction in pricing. “Unless production levels decline to accommodate reduced demand, a substantial decline in protein prices is likely to occur,” said Carla Norfleet Taylor, Director at Fitch Ratings. “Initial consumer reaction to the April 2009 outbreak of H1N1 was markedly negative and several countries continue to ban pork products from U.S. states with confirmed cases of the virus.”

Firms with ample financial flexibility, such as Cargill Inc. (IDR ‘A/F1′; Stable Rating Outlook); significant product and client diversification, such as Tyson Foods, Inc. (IDR ‘BB’; Stable Outlook); and numerous foreign production facilities, such as JBS S.A. (IDR ‘B+’; Stable Outlook), are best positioned to withstand the volatility caused by ever-changing foreign import policies. Those most vulnerable include single product firms such as National Beef Packing Company, and those operating in financial distress, such as Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation. Fitch’s current ratings incorporate near-term volatility and the lack of predictability associated with animal diseases and trade restrictions.

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