Experts fear a secondary wave of the respiratory infection could be more severe than the first.Experts fear a secondary wave of the respiratory infection could be more severe than the first. (Natacha Pisarenko/Associated Press)

Poor countries may need about $1 billion US to fight the swine flu pandemic for the rest of the year, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Monday.

"We need to get more resources available," Ban told reporters in Geneva before a meeting with officials from potential donor countries.

"This pandemic flu is also a sort of a global crisis which needs a global response through global partnership and solidarity," he said.

Ban said funds for helping developing countries battle the pandemic have not become available to the UN as expected. He said the money is needed in order to ensure the poorest countries get vaccine supplies and antivirals.

The relative mildness of the pandemic so far should not be taken for granted, he added.

Experts fear the number of infected people may be much higher than those confirmed and that a secondary wave of the respiratory infection could be more severe.

Most people who have become ill with the H1N1 influenza A virus have suffered mild symptoms. Some of the more serious cases have been linked to conditions such as chronic heart and lung disease or diabetes.

By Monday, the total number of cases worldwide reached 94,512 — with 429 deaths — according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Global spread 'unstoppable'

Last Thursday, WHO director general Margaret Chan called the global spread of H1N1 "unstoppable" and said the disease has spread to 114 countries since April.

Canada has recorded 36 deaths associated with swine flu (H1N1) virus, including 14 in Quebec and 12 in Ontario. There have also been five deaths in Manitoba, three in Saskatchewan and two in Alberta.

A vaccine against H1N1 is expected to be ready for testing by September and should be available six to eight weeks later, manufacturers say.

Last week, David Butler-Jones, Canada's chief public health officer, said he expected a Canadian swine flu vaccination program will start as early as October.