FACTBOX-Measures to fight H1N1 swine flu in Europe

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 NONV.VX,
Glaxo (GSK.L) and Sanofi (SASY.PA) 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;