The World Health Organization reports that as of June 17 there are 39,520 cases reported of pandemic swine flu or pandemic novel H1N1. 167 deaths due to the pandemic are reported. Of course, the country with the greatest number of cases, the U.S, only reports on Friday so the total is very understated. We are reporting 20,630 cases in the United States as of June 17.

Latin American nations marked with this color.

Here is a list of every nation reporting over 100 cases of pandemic swine flu.

Here are some select cities and metro areas and the numbers of swine flu or novel H1N1 cases reported for them on their respective state sites. Chicago and Cook County, Illinois, stands out as does Hildalgo County, Texas, the county along the Rio Grande just upstream from Brownsville.

The WHO is set to announce officially that novel H1N1 or swine flu has reached official pandemic status. That is a phase six. This is the first influenza pandemic since the Hong Kong flu of 1968.

A pandemic declaration is based on the spread of the illness and not necessarily upon how deadly it is. Of the four influenza pandemics in modern times, 1918 Spanish Flu, the 1957 Asian Flu and the 1968 Hong Kong Flu, this outbreak appears to be the mildest. That could change but for now we have an influenza pandemic from a mild strain.

This declaration puts national governments on the spot. Most have prepared a pandemic flu plan with the steps that they would take when a pandemic is declared. For many nations, this means expenditure of money and resources they do not have. As with many international agreements, the wealthier countries are far readier and able to comply.

The United States plan can be found at PandemicFlu.gov. The plan provides for eventualities such as a very deadly illness that might require internal travel restrictions and quarantines.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are your best source for authoritative information about influenza, swine flu, and the steps you should be taking.

WHO has gone to reporting cases counts on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. That is probably because the U.S. is doing so and half the cases of swine flu or novel H1N1 are in the U.S.

As of this morning, WHO reports that 69 nations have reported cases, for a total of 21,940. 125 deaths have been reported.

The way this will work is that the CDC will make its report after 11 am today, and the next WHO report will be in three days, on Monday. Current public data is not important to the various public health agencies, based on their inability to synchronize their reports.

Australia, Canada, Mexico and the United States have the most new cases. The outbreak is not finished in Mexico despite their lifting of the various restrictions on public activity. Central and South American countries are at the very beginning of their outbreaks, with small total numbers but significant new cases.

There are no reports of cases in Africa except the lone individual in Egypt.

Here is a selection of cities and counties reporting cases of novel H1N1 or swine flu. The blanks indicate an addition, or in a few cases, the lack of new data. Some states are electing to not publicly report their cases, or to only report hospitalizations for the illness.