The HPA said there had been 47 confirmed cases of anthrax infection among drug users in Scotland since December 2009.

BBC: 'Anthrax heroin' kills drug user in Kent

As of Sunday, the WHO had been informed of 34 laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with nCoV worldwide since last September, including 18 deaths, it said.

CNN: Saudi Arabia reports 4 new cases of dangerous virus

The deaths were among the 16 confirmed cases of human infection in the nation, mostly on the eastern coast near the Shanghai, the nation's biggest city and financial hub.

WSJ: Bird Flu Worries Sink Airline Shares

In the same period of 2001 there were 79 confirmed cases of group C meningococcal infection and three deaths.

BBC: Syringe

In the first nine months of 1999, before the immunisation campaign started, there were 551 confirmed cases of group C meningococcal infection and 47 deaths.

BBC: Syringe

The buying frenzy kicked into even higher gear earlier this month, when United States-led air strikes began in Afghanistan and cases of anthrax infection were confirmed in several states.

CNN: Wary Americans stock up on supplies

Brazil's health minister told reporters Thursday that four cases of H1N1 infection have been confirmed in Brazil.

CNN: 2 U.S. swine flu dead had other health problems, officials say

Mexican authorities also suspect that 159 deaths have resulted from the infection, although only a small number of cases -- less than a dozen -- have been confirmed.

CNN: Commentary: It's time to end flu hysteria