This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8016909.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Mexico flu outbreak kills dozens Mexico flu outbreak kills dozens
(20 minutes later)
Dozens of people have died and hundreds of others have been infected in a viral outbreak in Mexico suspected to have been caused by a strain of swine flu.Dozens of people have died and hundreds of others have been infected in a viral outbreak in Mexico suspected to have been caused by a strain of swine flu.
The World Health Organization thinks the virus may be behind 60 deaths in Mexico since mid-March.The World Health Organization thinks the virus may be behind 60 deaths in Mexico since mid-March.
Mexican authorities have closed schools in affected areas and a vaccination campaign is being launched.Mexican authorities have closed schools in affected areas and a vaccination campaign is being launched.
Seven non-fatal cases of a new form of swine flu have also been confirmed in the southern United States.Seven non-fatal cases of a new form of swine flu have also been confirmed in the southern United States.
A WHO spokesman said 12 out of 18 samples taken from the Mexican victims showed they died from a virus with the same genetic structure as the one found in the US.A WHO spokesman said 12 out of 18 samples taken from the Mexican victims showed they died from a virus with the same genetic structure as the one found in the US.
The WHO would convene an emergency meeting in the "very near future" to determine whether the event constituted a "public health event of international concern", Gregory Hartl told Reuters news agency.The WHO would convene an emergency meeting in the "very near future" to determine whether the event constituted a "public health event of international concern", Gregory Hartl told Reuters news agency.
The White House said it was following the US outbreak - in California and Texas - closely.The White House said it was following the US outbreak - in California and Texas - closely.
'Mutated from pigs''Mutated from pigs'
WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib said "unusual end-of-season influenza activity" was noticed in Mexico starting from the end of March.WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib said "unusual end-of-season influenza activity" was noticed in Mexico starting from the end of March.
Fifty-seven people had died in Mexico City from flu-like symptoms, she said, and another three in San Luis Potosi in central Mexico. There are around 800 suspected cases, she said.Fifty-seven people had died in Mexico City from flu-like symptoms, she said, and another three in San Luis Potosi in central Mexico. There are around 800 suspected cases, she said.
There are many different types of swine flu and, like human flu, the infection is constantly changing Q&A: Swine fluThere are many different types of swine flu and, like human flu, the infection is constantly changing Q&A: Swine flu
Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova said the virus had "mutated from pigs and then at some point was transmitted to humans".Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova said the virus had "mutated from pigs and then at some point was transmitted to humans".
The strain of flu had been confirmed in at least 16 deaths, with 44 others being tested, the government said.The strain of flu had been confirmed in at least 16 deaths, with 44 others being tested, the government said.
It urged people to take preventative measures such as not shaking hands or sharing crockery.It urged people to take preventative measures such as not shaking hands or sharing crockery.
All schools and universities in the capital and in nearby Mexico State have been closed, the BBC's Stephen Gibbs reports from Mexico City.All schools and universities in the capital and in nearby Mexico State have been closed, the BBC's Stephen Gibbs reports from Mexico City.
'No contact''No contact'
In the US, experts say the seven people who fell ill across two states were suffering from a new form of swine flu that combined pig, bird and human viruses.In the US, experts say the seven people who fell ill across two states were suffering from a new form of swine flu that combined pig, bird and human viruses.
The CDC said none of the seven victims had been in contact with pigs, which is how people usually catch swine flu.The CDC said none of the seven victims had been in contact with pigs, which is how people usually catch swine flu.
CDC spokeswoman Anne Schuchat said that officials did not yet know how widely the virus had spread.CDC spokeswoman Anne Schuchat said that officials did not yet know how widely the virus had spread.
But she pointed out that all seven victims had recovered. "So far this is not looking like very very severe influenza," she said.But she pointed out that all seven victims had recovered. "So far this is not looking like very very severe influenza," she said.
While the world has been worried over the past few years about the impact of a pandemic originating from avian flu, the WHO say that swine flu has been implicated in the emergence of two of the last century's influenza pandemics, reports BBC science reporter Matt McGrath.While the world has been worried over the past few years about the impact of a pandemic originating from avian flu, the WHO say that swine flu has been implicated in the emergence of two of the last century's influenza pandemics, reports BBC science reporter Matt McGrath.
Pigs can serve as a mixing vessel for both human and avian viruses that could combine to create a more virulent strain, our reporter adds.Pigs can serve as a mixing vessel for both human and avian viruses that could combine to create a more virulent strain, our reporter adds.
Are you in Mexico? Do you know someone who has been affected by the outbreak? Tell us your experiences by filling in the form below.
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions