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Mexico/US
Swine flu deaths continue in Mexico and spread to US
Article published on the 2009-04-25 Latest update 2009-04-25 16:27 TU
A man wears a mask as he waits at a Health Center in Mexico City on Friday
(Photo: Reuters)
Mexican authorities are investigating almost 1,000 possible swine flu infections after 60 people died in Mexico with flu symptoms. Mexico’s Health Minister, Jose Angel Cordova, confirmed 20 deaths on Friday and said authorities were investigating another 40 cases of people who had died with flu symptoms.
In the United States eight people have been infected and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said that some of the Mexican deaths were caused by the same strain of swine flu that left eight people in Texas and California infected.
Interview: correspondent James Blears, Mexico City
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said that most of the Mexican cases had occurred in otherwise healthy young adults and that age groups typically at risk from influenza, the very young and the very old, had not been heavily affected in Mexico.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon has met with his cabinet to discuss the response to the disease. Authorities in Mexico City had announced a mass vaccination campaign with standard human flu vaccines but said later that the WHO had advised them to use antiviral medicines.
Cases of H1N1 swine flu in humans caused two deaths in the United States, in 1976 and 1988, and another case was recorded in 1986.
Two first division football games on Sunday will take place without crowds. Mexican authorities have advised people to avoid public transport and public places. Museums, theatres and schools have been closed.
 New strain of swine flu kills "up to 60" |
