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World 'well prepared' for virus World 'well prepared' for virus
(40 minutes later)
The international community is better prepared than ever to deal with the threatened spread of a new swine flu virus, a top UN health chief has said.The international community is better prepared than ever to deal with the threatened spread of a new swine flu virus, a top UN health chief has said.
Dr Keiji Fukuda said years of preparing for bird flu had led to improved stocks of anti-virals worldwide.Dr Keiji Fukuda said years of preparing for bird flu had led to improved stocks of anti-virals worldwide.
The World Health Organization says the outbreak may become a pandemic.The World Health Organization says the outbreak may become a pandemic.
Canada has become the latest country to confirm cases of the virus in humans after 20 confirmed deaths in Mexico and 20 non-lethal cases in the US. Canada has become the latest country to confirm cases of the virus in humans after as many as 81 deaths in Mexico and 20 non-lethal cases in the US.
The cases were recorded at opposite ends of the country: two in British Columbia in the west, and four in the Atlantic province of Nova Scotia.The cases were recorded at opposite ends of the country: two in British Columbia in the west, and four in the Atlantic province of Nova Scotia.
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 flu UK monitoring swine flu outbreakSWINE 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 UK monitoring swine flu outbreak
In the US, eight cases were confirmed among New York students, seven in California, two in Texas, two in Kansas and one in Ohio.In the US, eight cases were confirmed among New York students, seven in California, two in Texas, two in Kansas and one in Ohio.
"There is no need for Americans to panic," the White House said."There is no need for Americans to panic," the White House said.
Several countries in Asia and Latin America have begun screening airport passengers for symptoms.Several countries in Asia and Latin America have begun screening airport passengers for symptoms.
There is currently no vaccine for the new strain of flu but severe cases can be treated with antiviral medication.There is currently no vaccine for the new strain of flu but severe cases can be treated with antiviral medication.
Symptom puzzleSymptom puzzle
Speaking in Geneva, a WHO expert said the swine flu virus could be capable of mutating into a more dangerous strain but that more information was needed before raising the WHO's pandemic alert phase.Speaking in Geneva, a WHO expert said the swine flu virus could be capable of mutating into a more dangerous strain but that more information was needed before raising the WHO's pandemic alert phase.
Susan Watts, BBC Science editor The next few days and weeks will be crucial. One possibly hopeful sign is that of the eight cases in the US there has been only one hospitalisation, and no deaths. So it may turn out that there is some other kind of infection at work in Mexico, as well as the new flu virus. Read Susan's thoughts in fullSusan Watts, BBC Science editor The next few days and weeks will be crucial. One possibly hopeful sign is that of the eight cases in the US there has been only one hospitalisation, and no deaths. So it may turn out that there is some other kind of infection at work in Mexico, as well as the new flu virus. Read Susan's thoughts in full
Only a handful of the Mexican cases have so far been laboratory-confirmed as swine flu, while in the US confirmed cases had only mild symptoms.Only a handful of the Mexican cases have so far been laboratory-confirmed as swine flu, while in the US confirmed cases had only mild symptoms.
Health experts want to know why some people become so seriously ill, while others just get a bit of a cold, the BBC's Imogen Foulkes reports from Switzerland.Health experts want to know why some people become so seriously ill, while others just get a bit of a cold, the BBC's Imogen Foulkes reports from Switzerland.
The WHO added that there was no evidence to suggest the outbreak was a bio-terrorist attack.The WHO added that there was no evidence to suggest the outbreak was a bio-terrorist attack.
It is advising all countries to be vigilant for seasonally unusual flu or pneumonia-like symptoms among their populations - particularly among young healthy adults, a characteristic of past pandemics.It is advising all countries to be vigilant for seasonally unusual flu or pneumonia-like symptoms among their populations - particularly among young healthy adults, a characteristic of past pandemics.
Officials said most of those killed so far in Mexico were young adults - rather than more vulnerable children and the elderly.Officials said most of those killed so far in Mexico were young adults - rather than more vulnerable children and the elderly.
It is unclear how effective currently available flu vaccines would be at offering protection against the new strain, as it is genetically distinct from other flu strains.It is unclear how effective currently available flu vaccines would be at offering protection against the new strain, as it is genetically distinct from other flu strains.
Sick travellersSick travellers
H1N1 is the same strain that causes seasonal flu outbreaks in humans but the newly detected version contains genetic material from versions of flu which usually affect pigs and birds.H1N1 is the same strain that causes seasonal flu outbreaks in humans but the newly detected version contains genetic material from versions of flu which usually affect pigs and birds.
FLU PANDEMICS 1918: The Spanish flu pandemic remains the most devastating outbreak of modern times - infecting up to 40% of the world's population and killing more than 50m people, with young adults particularly badly affected 1957: Asian flu killed two million people. Caused by a human form of the virus, H2N2, combining with a mutated strain found in wild ducks. The elderly were particularly vulnerable 1968: An outbreak first detected in Hong Kong, and caused by a strain known as H3N2, killed up to one million people globally, with those over 65 most likely to dieFLU PANDEMICS 1918: The Spanish flu pandemic remains the most devastating outbreak of modern times - infecting up to 40% of the world's population and killing more than 50m people, with young adults particularly badly affected 1957: Asian flu killed two million people. Caused by a human form of the virus, H2N2, combining with a mutated strain found in wild ducks. The elderly were particularly vulnerable 1968: An outbreak first detected in Hong Kong, and caused by a strain known as H3N2, killed up to one million people globally, with those over 65 most likely to die
It is spread mainly through coughs and sneezes.It is spread mainly through coughs and sneezes.
Suspected cases have been detected beyond Mexico, the US and CanadaSuspected cases have been detected beyond Mexico, the US and Canada
  • Ten New Zealand students from a group which visited Mexico have tested positive for Influenza A, making it "likely" they are infected with swine flu
  • In France, a top health official told Le Parisien newspaper there were unconfirmed suspicions that two individuals who had just returned from Mexico might be carrying the virus
  • Spain's health ministry says three people who returned from a trip from Mexico with flu symptoms are in isolation and being tested
  • In Israel, medics are testing a 26-year-old man who has been taken to hospital with flu-like symptoms after returning from a trip to Mexico
  • Ten New Zealand students from a group which visited Mexico have tested positive for Influenza A, making it "likely" they are infected with swine flu
  • In France, a top health official told Le Parisien newspaper there were unconfirmed suspicions that two individuals who had just returned from Mexico might be carrying the virus
  • Spain's health ministry says three people who returned from a trip from Mexico with flu symptoms are in isolation and being tested
  • In Israel, medics are testing a 26-year-old man who has been taken to hospital with flu-like symptoms after returning from a trip to Mexico
Mexican shutdownMexican shutdown
There is a sense of chaos in hospitals and we do not know what to do BBC reader Antonio Chavez, Mexico City Read more experiences Send us your commentsThere is a sense of chaos in hospitals and we do not know what to do BBC reader Antonio Chavez, Mexico City Read more experiences Send us your comments
Officials in Mexico confirmed that 20 people had died from the virus but warned the death toll could be as high as 81. Officials in Mexico confirmed that 20 people had died from the virus while another 61 deaths were suspected cases of swine flu.
With Mexico City apparently the centre of infection, many people are choosing to leave the city, the BBC's Stephen Gibbs reports.With Mexico City apparently the centre of infection, many people are choosing to leave the city, the BBC's Stephen Gibbs reports.
Schools, universities and even most bars and restaurants will remain closed for several days and though Sunday church services are going ahead, priests have been asked to give Communion in the hand rather than on the tongue.Schools, universities and even most bars and restaurants will remain closed for several days and though Sunday church services are going ahead, priests have been asked to give Communion in the hand rather than on the tongue.
There are those that are beginning to worry about the effects swine flu is having on their livelihoods and the Mexican economy in general, our correspondent says.There are those that are beginning to worry about the effects swine flu is having on their livelihoods and the Mexican economy in general, our correspondent says.
Fear of the virus is expected to persuade many tourists to cancel their holidays and Mexican exports are already beginning to be affected.Fear of the virus is expected to persuade many tourists to cancel their holidays and Mexican exports are already beginning to be affected.
Russia has banned imports of raw pork and pork products from Mexico and the US states of California, Texas and Kansas until further notice as a precaution.Russia has banned imports of raw pork and pork products from Mexico and the US states of California, Texas and Kansas until further notice as a precaution.
More than 1,300 people have been admitted to hospital with suspected symptoms since 13 April.More than 1,300 people have been admitted to hospital with suspected symptoms since 13 April.
Emergency measures in place allow individuals suspected of having the virus to be isolated without fear of legal repercussions.Emergency measures in place allow individuals suspected of having the virus to be isolated without fear of legal repercussions.
Are you in Mexico or the US? 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 or the US? 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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