Mexico Flu Sparks Worldwide Fear
Posted by John Malloy on 04/26/2009
Mexican authorities have taken drastic measures to contain a new strain of the swine flu virus that has killed 81 and prompted fears of a global pandemic.
People are being urged to stay at home and maintain strict personal hygiene. Many schools, public buildings, bars and restaurants have been closed.
Non-fatal cases have been confirmed in the US and are likely in New Zealand.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that at least some of the cases are a new strain of the virus.
H1N1 is the same strain that causes seasonal flu outbreaks in humans, but the newly detected version contains genetic material from versions of flu which usually affect pigs and birds.
The respiratory virus – which infects pigs but only sporadically humans – is spread mainly through coughs and sneezes.
The WHO has warned the virus has the potential to become a pandemic.
Several countries in Asia and Latin America have begun screening airport passengers for symptoms.
Suspected outbreaks
Although all of the deaths so far have been in Mexico, the flu is spreading in the United States and suspected cases have been detected elsewhere:
- Eleven confirmed infections in the US
- In addition, eight suspected cases are being investigated at a New York City high school where about 200 students fell mildly ill with flu-like symptoms
- Ten New Zealand students are among a group which travelled to Mexico have tested positive for influenza A – making it “likely”, though not definite, that they are infected with swine flu, said Health Minister Tony Ryall
- In France, a top health official told Le Parisien newspaper there were unconfirmed suspicions that two individuals who had just returned from Mexico may be carrying the virus
- In Israel, medics are testing a 26-year-old man who has been taken to hospital with flu-like symptoms after returning from a trip to Mexico
- But a UK hospital conducting tests for swine flu on a British Airways cabin crew member said the tests proved negative…
news.bbc.co.
Posted by
John Malloy
on 04/26/2009. Filed under
International.
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