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Mexico flu 'a potential pandemic' Mexico flu 'a potential pandemic'
(about 3 hours 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. Health experts say tests so far seem to link the illnesses in Mexico with a swine flu virus 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. A top US health official said the strain of swine flu had spread widely and could not be contained.
The WHO's new emergency committee is now meeting - though health officials say it may be premature to advise against travel to Mexico. Ms Chan cut short a visit to the US and returned to Geneva where the WHO's emergency committee met.
class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYI work as a resident doctor in one of the biggest hospitals in Mexico City and sadly, the situation is far from 'under control' Yeny Gregorio Davila, Mexico City class="" href="/2/hi/talking_point/8018428.stm">Read more experiences The committee can recommend declaring an international public health emergency and raise the global pandemic alert level - a move that could lead to travel advisories, trade restrictions and border closures.
The committee will be discussing whether to declare a public health emergency, and whether to raise the global pandemic alert level. class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYI work as a resident doctor in one of the biggest hospitals in Mexico City and sadly, the situation is far from 'under control' Yeny Gregorio Davila, Mexico City class="" href="/1/hi/talking_point/8018428.stm">Read more experiences
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.
Precautions Containment 'not feasible'
Schools, museums and libraries have been closed across the capital region and people are being urged to avoid shaking hands or sharing crockery.Schools, museums and libraries have been closed across the capital region and people are being urged to avoid shaking hands or sharing crockery.
Public buildings have closed across Mexico City because of the outbreakPublic buildings have closed across Mexico City because of the outbreak
All public events have been suspended, an official said. Two previously sold-out soccer matches were played in empty stadiums to avoid potentially spreading the virus.All public events have been suspended, an official said. Two previously sold-out soccer matches were played in empty stadiums to avoid potentially spreading the virus.
And in the US, the White House said it was watching the situation. The Roman Catholic Church in Mexico has recommended measures to avoid further contagion at Mass this Sunday.
Dr Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said that preliminary tests on seven out of 14 samples from patients in Mexico had matched the virus found in the US. Priests have been told to place communion wafers in hands of the worshippers rather than in their mouths and to suggest to the congregation that kissing or shaking hands be avoided during the service.
The US is watching the situation south of the border closely.
"With infections in many different communities as we're seeing, we don't think that containment is feasible," said Anne Schuchat of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
"We are not at a point where we can keep this virus in one place... Now that we are looking more widely, I really expect us to find more."
The CDC said 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 which has infected more than 1,000 people in the country.The CDC said it planned to send experts to Mexico to help investigate the virus which has infected more than 1,000 people in the country.
Ms Chan confirmed the virus was an animal strain - a mixture of swine, human and avian flu viruses.Ms Chan confirmed the virus was an animal strain - a mixture of swine, human and avian flu viruses.
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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The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions