UN chief: $1 billion may be needed against swine flu
GENEVA -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the world body may need over $1 billion to fight the swine flu pandemic for the rest of this year.
Ban says funds have not come in as expected. He says the money is needed to ensure the poorest countries get vaccine supplies and antivirals if the pandemic continues to spread.
Ban told reporters in Geneva on Monday that the relative mildness of the pandemic so far should not be taken for granted.
He says the swine flu outbreak is a worldwide problem that needs global solidarity.
The World Health Organization says 429 people died of swine flu and over 94,000 have been infected. Experts fear the number of infected people may be much higher than those confirmed.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
