2009-06-24 15:56:04 -

GENEVA (AP) - The World Health Organization says three more countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have reported their first cases of swine flu.
WHO says Ethiopia, Ivory Coast and the island nation of Cape Verde have become the latest countries to report cases to the global body.
South Africa last week was the first in the region to confirm infection with the A(H1N1) virus when a 12-year-old boy visiting from the United States was hospitalized with symptoms. He has since been discharged.

WHO says African countries are particularly vulnerable because of their fragile health care systems and the widespread presence of other health problems such as HIV and tuberculosis.
According to WHO's official tally, a total of 55,867 cases and 238 deaths were confirmed worldwide by Wednesday.