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Sharp upswing in number of cases of swine flu in France

PARIS, Aug 27 (KUNA) -- There was a sharp upswing in the number of cases of contamination with the swine flu virus in France last week, with more than 4, 500 registered cases compared with 3,000 projected initially by the Health Ministry.
France officially has two deaths on the mainland from swine flu and another eight in foreign holdings abroad, where in some cases contamination is up to 30 percent of the population, especially in New Caledonia.
The government has ordered 94 million vaccinations against the flu and is due to announce its program for vaccinations any moment now so as to be in time for the resumption of school term in early September.
Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux has summoned an inter-ministerial meeting later Thursday to discuss the worsening situation and measures to take to increase preparedness for the autumn, when the pandemic is set to intensify.
It is the third meeting that also includes the health minister, the social affairs and other ministers with responsibilities for public welfare. (End) jk.tg KUNA 271643 Aug 09NNNN