For what it's worth it appears that the countries with the highest death rates by population are mostlyin the Southern Hemisphere where they have had the "benefit" of an earlier flu season flu season, in Central America (where they are in close geographical connection with the South American outbreak, or in the Middle East (not sure about that one). Industrialised countries will (usually) have better reporting systems.
I would predict that there is likely to be a turn around over the next couple of months as the flu season in the South ends, and as it kicks off properly in Northern Hemisphere countries. However, many countries appear to lose the desire to report deaths once they reach a critical quantity for reasons that can only be speculated upon, so that rise may well be blunted.
At the end of the day it is likely that the main deaths by nation table will provide a rough working tool (the best we've got), and the true impact need to be measured post the pandemic statistically.
I think we are heading though for a minimum 1:100,000 death rate, possibly over a 2 year cycle.Dmshaw (talk) 06:20, 7 October 2009 (UTC)