Friday, May 1, 2009

Latest developments on swine flu worldwide

BEIJING, -- The following are the latest developments Tuesday of swine flu outbreaks worldwide, according to countries' announcements.

Death toll reached 152, including confirmed or suspected swine flu cases, all in Mexico.

The sickened numbers are 1,995 in Mexico, suspected or confirmed; 42 confirmed in the United States; six confirmed in Canada; at least 10 suspected in New Zealand; one confirmed and 17 suspected in Spain; one suspected in France; one suspected in Israel; one suspected in South Korea.

More about swine flu news:

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How to Avoid Swine Flu Infection

Mexico faces criticism over swine flu response

Asia on alert over Mexico swine flu outbreak

WHO declares US, Mexico swine flu a public health emergency

Swine flu kills 81 in Mexico, spreads to US, Europe

Swine influenza - update 5

NRI from Texas arrives in Hyderabad with swine flu on 30 Apr 2009

Mexico City has banned restaurants and cafes from serving all food except takeaways in a bid to help prevent the spread of the deadly swine flu virus.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Swine Flu Outbreak Unnerves Mexico City

Officials in Mexico City have shut down schools, museums and other public venues because of a swine flu outbreak that has killed at least 20 people and may be responsible for 40 other deaths.Many people in the Mexican capital were wearing face masks while in public. Authorities say 1,000 people have become ill.

Train riders in Mexico City wear masks after outbreak of swine flu, 24 Apr 2009
Train riders in Mexico City wear masks after outbreak of swine flu, 24 Apr

Tests show that some of the Mexico victims died from the same new strain of virus that sickened eight people in California and Texas. But authorities say the U.S. cases have been mild and that all eight people recovered. They say none of the U.S. patients had any contact with pigs.

The acting director of the U.S. Centers for Disease and Control Prevention, Richard Besser, said Friday that health officials do not know if the outbreak will become a pandemic.

The World Health Organization said it was convening an expert panel to consider raising the pandemic alert level.

Health officials say the unusual strain of flu contains genetic material from pigs, birds and humans. But authorities have not called on Americans to avoid travel to Mexico.

The CDC says swine flu usually occurs in people who have been exposed to pigs, although human-to-human transmission is also possible. Symptoms resemble the regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Its Web site says some people with swine flu experience a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

The CDC also says that between December 2005 and February of this year, 12 cases of human swine flu infection were reported.

U.S. officials say the White House is monitoring the situation.