Stockholm - The number of confirmed novel influenza A(H1N1) cases worldwide topped 1,000 on Monday, according to tallies released by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

In Europe the number stood at 79 while there were 20 further probable cases including 10 in France, 8 in Britain and one case in Portugal and Sweden each.

The Swedish case was reported to be a woman in her 50s who arrived last week from New York. Final tests were still pending, the Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control said.

In all, 12 countries in Europe have confirmed or probable cases. Most of the confirmed cases, 44, were reported from Spain, the ECDC tally indicated.

Outside Europe, there were 929 confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1) virus infections as of early Monday, the ECDC said. In Mexico there were 590 confirmed cases, 226 in the United States and 101 in Canada. Cases were also reported from six other countries.

The ECDC with headquarters in Sweden began to operate in 2005, and groups the bloc as well as several non-EU members. (dpa)