PilotOnline.com: US Navy: 24 Iwo Jima sailors and Marines hit by H1N1 virus

The US Navy has confirmed that 24 sailors and Marines associated with the amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima have been diagnosed with the H1N1 virus.

The first three cases were confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control on May 27, the day before the ship left New York after visiting the city for Fleet Week.

Those victims were from other units but were temporarily attached to the ship. They were treated at the Veterans Affairs hospital in New York and have since returned to their home units, said Cmdr. Cappy Surrette, a Navy spokesman.

An additional 21 sailors and Marines, all ship’s company, then came down with the virus while on board. They have received treatment and returned to work, he said.

PilotOnline.com: US Navy: 24 Iwo Jima sailors and Marines hit by H1N1 virus

Worldwide Pandemic Flu Declaration 'Close'

GENEVA, Switzerland (ENS) - The World Health Organization is 'getting close' to declaring a worldwide pandemic of the novel H1N1 influenza virus, a senior official said today.

The virus, also called human swine flu, has spread to 73 countries that have reported 26,563 laboratory confirmed cases of the illness, with 140 deaths, Dr. Keiji Fukuda, assistant director-general for health, security and environment, told reporters on a teleconference today.

'We are getting close to declaring a pandemic. But we are trying to get as much information out to countries as we can that would relieve anxiety,' Dr. Fukuda said. 'Right now we consider the situation to be relatively moderate.'

Worldwide Pandemic Flu Declaration 'Close'