FACTBOX-Measures to fight H1N1 swine flu in Europe

(Updates with Croatia and Hungary)

Nov 24 (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 7,860 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 under way.

* LATEST MEASURES BY GOVERNMENTS:

CROATIA - The Health Ministry says the first delivery of
140,000 vaccines arrived on Tuesday. Vaccination against H1N1
will start on Nov. 27, with those seen as most at risk to be
targeted first -- people with chronic diseases, pregnant women,
young children, the obese and healthcare workers.

FRANCE - Almost 240 schools around the country have had to
close in an effort to contain particularly virulent outbreaks.

-- A recent jump in cases has given a much-needed boost to a
national vaccination campaign, with queues forming at centres
over the weekend as word spread of a rise in deaths.

-- When the centres initially opened earlier this month, the
French media, said they were largely deserted, with medical
staff having to throw away large numbers of unused vaccinations.

HUNGARY - Many schools around the country have ordered
temporary shutdowns, none for more than a few days.

-- Schools are mandated to vaccinate students, but parent
approval is needed.

-- Hungary is establishing vaccination centres, 200 will be
in operation by Nov. 27.

-- For weeks, most Hungarians refused to get vaccinated, for
fear of side effects, especially in children and pregnant
mothers.

NETHERLANDS - The Netherlands started vaccinating children
against the H1N1 virus on Monday. Some 830,000 children aged
from six months up to and including four-year-olds will be
vaccinated.

-- Babies up to six months old will not be vaccinated
because the vaccine has not been tested on that age group. About
200,000 members of families with babies younger than six months
will be vaccinated instead.

-- At 237 different locations across the Netherlands,
parents can visit centres of municipal health organisation GGD
to have the vaccinations, with most vaccinations taking place
this week. A second round of shots will occur in mid-December.

-- The vaccination of children comes after the Netherlands
started vaccinating risk groups against the virus on Nov. 9.

POLAND - Poland's Health Ministry decided last week to
release its Tamiflu stock to pharmacies.

-- Health Minister Ewa Kopacz has said not enough tests have
been conducted to ensure flu vaccinations are safe for people
and that she is demanding more guarantees from pharmaceutical
firms before any possible purchase.

-- Several schools have been temporarily closed across the
country, but there has been no central recommendation to do so.

* SOME NUMBERS:

TOTAL REPORTED DEATHS: 7,860*

REGIONAL BREAKDOWN:

AREA TOTAL DEATHS:

EU AND EFTA COUNTRIES 690

OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES & CENTRAL ASIA 89

MEDITERRANEAN AND MIDDLE-EAST 518

AFRICA 108

NORTH AMERICA 2,088

CENTRAL AMERICA & CARIBBEAN 174

SOUTH AMERICA 2,780

NORTH-EAST & SOUTH ASIA 831

SOUTH-EAST ASIA 367

AUSTRALIA & PACIFIC 215

* NOTE: Deaths reported to ECDC

Sources: Reuters/ECDC:
(Writing by David Cutler, London Editorial Reference Unit;
((david.cutler@thomsonreuters.com; +44 20 7542 7968; Reuters
Messaging: david.cutler.reuters.com@reuters.net))