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Mexico flu 'a potential pandemic' Mexico flu 'a potential pandemic'
(about 2 hours later)
A new flu virus suspected of killing at least 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 at least 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.
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 swine flu virus in the southern US.
A top US health official said the strain of swine flu had spread widely and could not be contained.A top US health official said the strain of swine flu had spread widely and could not be contained.
Ms Chan cut short a visit to the US and returned to Geneva where the WHO's emergency committee met.Ms Chan cut short a visit to the US and returned to Geneva where the WHO's emergency committee met.
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.
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 Read more experiencesHAVE 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 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 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.
Containment 'not feasible' Several people have also fallen ill in the US, and the authorities there are watching the situation south of the border closely.
Schools, museums and libraries have been closed across the capital region and people are being urged to avoid shaking hands or sharing crockery. US cases
Schools, museums and libraries have been closed across the Mexican capital's region and people are being urged to avoid shaking hands or sharing crockery.
The RC church has issued advice to its priests to help halt the spread of the fluThe RC church has issued advice to its priests to help halt the spread of the flu
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.
The Roman Catholic Church in Mexico has recommended measures to avoid further contagion at Mass this Sunday.The Roman Catholic Church in Mexico has recommended measures to avoid further contagion at Mass this Sunday.
Priests have been told to place communion wafers in the hands of worshippers rather than in their mouths and to suggest to the congregation that kissing or shaking hands be avoided during the service.Priests have been told to place communion wafers in the hands of 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. Across the border in the US, the authorities say about 200 children were absent from a school in the New York borough of Queens on Friday, presumed ill.
"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). Eight of the nine samples taken from children were determined to be probable cases of swine fever, said city health commissioner Dr Thomas Frieden.
He said those samples would be sent to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for further testing.
None of the 200 children had been hospitalised and many had fully recovered, said Dr Frieden, but the school could remain closed out of "an abundance of caution".
He urged people to maintain basic hygiene, such and covering their mouths when coughing and sneezing, washing hands regularly and keeping surfaces clean.
We are not at a point where we can keep this virus in one place Anne Schuchat, CDC
The New York announcement comes after six people fell ill 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 of those people have recovered and only one was treated in hospital.
There are also reports of two probable cases in the state of Kansas.
"With infections in many different communities as we're seeing, we don't think that containment is feasible," said Anne Schuchat of the CDC earlier.
"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.""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.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.
All eight have recovered and only one was hospitalised.
Hopeful signHopeful sign
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.
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
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.
The BBC science editor Susan Watts says the new strain is a classic "re-assortment" - a combination feared most by those watching for the flu pandemic.The BBC science editor Susan Watts says the new strain is a classic "re-assortment" - a combination feared most by those watching for the flu pandemic.
But she says possibly one hopeful sign is that, of the eight cases in the US, there has been only one requiring hospital treatment, and no deaths.But she says possibly one hopeful sign is that, of the eight cases in the US, there has been only one requiring hospital treatment, and no deaths.
So it may turn out there is some other kind of infection at work in Mexico, as well as the new flu virus.So it may turn out there is some other kind of infection at work in Mexico, as well as the new flu virus.
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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