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Mexico flu 'a potential pandemic' Mexico flu 'a potential pandemic'
(10 minutes later)
A new flu virus suspected of killing up to 60 people in Mexico has the potential to become a pandemic, the World Health Organization's chief says.A new flu virus suspected of killing up to 60 people in Mexico has the potential to become a pandemic, the World Health Organization's chief says.
Margaret Chan said the outbreak was a "serious situation" which needed to be followed closely.Margaret Chan said the outbreak was a "serious situation" which needed to be followed closely.
Ms Chan cut short a visit to the US and returned to Geneva for urgent talks.Ms Chan cut short a visit to the US and returned to Geneva for urgent talks.
Health experts say tests so far seem to link the illnesses in Mexico with a new swine flu virus that sickened eight people in the southern US.Health experts say tests so far seem to link the illnesses in Mexico with a new swine flu virus that sickened eight people in the southern US.
The WHO's new emergency committee is now meeting - though health officials say it may be premature to advise against travel to Mexico.The WHO's new emergency committee is now meeting - though health officials say it may be premature to advise against travel to Mexico.
The committee will be discussing whether to declare a public health emergency, and whether to raise the global pandemic alert level.The committee will be discussing whether to declare a public health emergency, and whether to raise the global pandemic alert level.
The WHO says it does not know the full risk yet.The WHO says it does not know the full risk yet.
It is advising all member states to be vigilant for seasonally unusual flu or pneumonia-like symptoms among their populations - particularly among young healthy adults, who seem to be the most affected in Mexico.It is advising all member states to be vigilant for seasonally unusual flu or pneumonia-like symptoms among their populations - particularly among young healthy adults, who seem to be the most affected in Mexico.
Officials said most of those killed so far were young adults - rather than more vulnerable children and the elderly.Officials said most of those killed so far were young adults - rather than more vulnerable children and the elderly.
PrecautionsPrecautions
Schools, museums and libraries have been closed across the capital region and people are being urged to avoid shaking hands or sharing crockery. All public events have been suspended, an official said.Schools, museums and libraries have been closed across the capital region and people are being urged to avoid shaking hands or sharing crockery. All public events have been suspended, an official said.
Public buildings have closed across Mexico City because of the outbreakPublic buildings have closed across Mexico City because of the outbreak
And in the US, the White House said it was watching the situation.And in the US, the White House said it was watching the situation.
Dr Richard Besser, acting director of the Centre for Disease Control, said that preliminary tests on seven out of 14 samples from patients in Mexico had matched the virus found in the US.Dr Richard Besser, acting director of the Centre for Disease Control, said that preliminary tests on seven out of 14 samples from patients in Mexico had matched the virus found in the US.
Eight people have fallen sick in the US - six in California and two in Texas - with a virus the WHO say was the same as the new strain of swine flu, designated H1N1.Eight people have fallen sick in the US - six in California and two in Texas - with a virus the WHO say was the same as the new strain of swine flu, designated H1N1.
All eight have recovered and only one was hospitalised.All eight have recovered and only one was hospitalised.
SWINE FLU Swine flu is a respiratory disease found in pigsHuman cases usually occur in those who have contact with pigsHuman-to-human transmission is rare and such cases are closely monitored Q&A: Swine fluSWINE FLU Swine flu is a respiratory disease found in pigsHuman cases usually occur in those who have contact with pigsHuman-to-human transmission is rare and such cases are closely monitored Q&A: Swine flu
The CDC said it planned to send experts to Mexico to help investigate the virus.The CDC said it planned to send experts to Mexico to help investigate the virus.
The WHO Director-General, Margaret Chan, confirmed on Saturday the virus is an animal strain.The WHO Director-General, Margaret Chan, confirmed on Saturday the virus is an animal strain.
Swine flu is a respiratory disease which infects pigs. It does not normally infect humans, although sporadic cases do occur usually in people who have had close contact with pigs.Swine flu is a respiratory disease which infects pigs. It does not normally infect humans, although sporadic cases do occur usually in people who have had close contact with pigs.
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.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.
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