Writing for the Los Angeles Times’ health-related “Booster Shots” column, Thomas Maugh II put together a round-up of H1N1 news from around the world. Over 199 countries and territories have reported confirmed cases, according to the World Health Organization — with over 6,000 deaths reported worldwide.

Among doctor visits in North America, 6 percent were a result of people experiencing flu-like symptoms, according to WHO, although the Times notes that the Center for Disease Control puts the flu-related visits a litttle higher, at 7.7 percent. About 40 percent of respiratory samples from these patients tested were positive for H1N1.

The Times’ Maugh also reports that:

• So many of the 130 residents of the remote whaling village of Diomede, Alaska, have been stricken with flu that the Alaska Army National Guard has had to transport medical teams in from Nome, which is 135 miles away.
• A flu outbreak in the Ukraine is so pervasive that officials may have to postpone until May elections that are scheduled for January.
• The European Center for Disease Control and Prevention is projecting that as many as 40,000 Europeans may die from H1N1 infection.
• The U.S. Dept. of Defense has ordered 3.7 million doses of H1N1 vaccine.

Elsewhere, the Mercury News reports that people started lining up at 3 a.m. to receive free flu vaccines at the Santa Clara fairgrounds. The line eventually stretched out of the park for half of a mile. The 5,400 doses went fast, but officials will continue the program at six centers around the county.

Finally, the Baltimore Health Department is holding a flu clinic this week and will begin school-based vaccinations this week. For times and dates, click here.