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Warnings as swine virus spreads Warnings as swine virus spreads
(about 2 hours later)
A top European Union official has warned against travel to areas hit by an outbreak of swine flu, amid growing concern over the spread of the virus. The United States and the European Union have urged travellers to Mexico to exercise caution, amid concerns over the spread of the swine flu virus.
Experts suspect it has killed more than 100 people in Mexico. Cases have also been found in Canada, the US and on Monday in Spain. Experts suspect it has killed more than 100 people in Mexico. Cases were also reported in Canada, the US and Spain.
At least five other nations are testing patients for possible swine flu. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US - which has 40 confirmed cases - was taking the issue "very seriously".
President Barack Obama said the cases in the US were a cause for concern but not alarm. World Health Organization (WHO) experts are meeting to consider raising the global pandemic alert level.
World Health Organization experts are meeting later to discuss the global threat posed by the virus. name="story">
The UN has warned that the virus has the potential to become a pandemic. But it says the world is better prepared than ever to deal with the threat.The UN has warned that the virus has the potential to become a pandemic. But it says the world is better prepared than ever to deal with the threat.
SWINE FLU Swine flu is a respiratory disease thought to spread through coughing and sneezingSymptoms mimic those of normal flu - but in Mexico more than 100 people have diedGood hygiene like using a tissue and washing hands thoroughly can help reduce transmission Q&A: What is swine flu? 'I couldn't get out of bed' In pictures: Swine flu
The EU has called an emergency meeting of health ministers to discuss the situation and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said he was monitoring the situation closely.
EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said people should avoid travelling to virus-hit parts of Mexico and the US unless it was "very urgent".
On Sunday, Mexican Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova said suspected swine flu cases in his country had risen to 1,614.
Of the 103 deaths in Mexico, only 20 are so far confirmed to have been caused by the new virus.
See map showing confirmed and suspected cases See map showing confirmed and suspected cases
There are 20 confirmed cases in the US, six in Canada and one in Spain, the first case in Europe. In most cases outside Mexico, people have been only mildly ill and have made a full recovery. There are 40 laboratory-confirmed cases of swine flu in the US, 26 in Mexico, six in Canada and one in Spain, the WHO said on Monday.
In other developments: Tests are also being carried out on individuals or groups in New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, Britain and Israel who fell ill following travel to Mexico
• Tests are also being carried out on individuals or groups in New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, Britain and Israel who fell ill following travel to Mexico In most cases outside Mexico, people have been only mildly ill and have made a full recovery.
• A top US health official has warned that there could be "more severe cases" to come Of the 103 deaths in Mexico, around 20 are so far confirmed to have been caused by the new virus.
• Shares in airlines have fallen sharply on fears about the economic impact of the outbreak On Sunday, Mexican Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova said suspected swine flu cases in his country had risen to 1,614.
'Evolving picture' 'Be vigilant'
Mrs Clinton urged "caution" for US nationals planning to visit Mexico.
SWINE FLU Swine flu is a respiratory disease thought to spread through coughing and sneezingSymptoms mimic those of normal flu - but in Mexico more than 100 people have diedGood hygiene like using a tissue and washing hands thoroughly can help reduce transmission Q&A: What is swine flu? 'I couldn't get out of bed' In pictures: Swine flu
"We are taking this very seriously," she said, adding that the US was working with the WHO and other countries to "develop a strategy" to prevent the spread of the virus.
Earlier, EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou called on people to think carefully before going to places where people had been infected.
"The travellers to Mexico City and the places in the USA where we have a serious outbreak should be really very careful and get advice before they leave and unless they have serious reasons to go to this places they should avoid doing so," she told the BBC.
President Barack Obama, in a speech to US scientists, said the cases were a cause for concern but not alarm.
He said a public health emergency - declared after cases were found in New York, California, Texas, Kansas and Ohio - was a "precautionary tool" to ensure that all the necessary resources are available "to respond quickly and effectively".
Screening
Health experts say the virus comes from the same strain that causes seasonal outbreaks in humans. But they say this newly-detected version contains genetic material from versions of flu which usually affect pigs and birds.Health experts say the virus comes from the same strain that causes seasonal outbreaks in humans. But they say this 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 affected1957: 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 vulnerable1968: 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 Swine flu: Your experiences 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 affected1957: 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 vulnerable1968: 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 Swine flu: Your experiences
There is currently no vaccine for this new strain, but severe cases can be treated with antiviral medication.There is currently no vaccine for this new strain, but severe cases can be treated with antiviral medication.
Dr Keiji Fukuda, the WHO's assistant director-general in charge of health security, said all countries were "looking at this situation very seriously". The WHO said it had not made any recommendations about travel restrictions.
"But it's also clear that we are in a period in which the picture is evolving... [and that] we have to be very careful to collect the best possible information," he said. But spokesman Gregory Hartl said the fact that an emergency committee meeting had been brought forward by a day showed the urgency with which the organisation was treating the issue.
The committee could decide to raise the pandemic level from its current level of three, if it believes the virus is showing a sustained ability to pass from human to human.
The WHO 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.The WHO 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.
Most of those who have died so far in Mexico were young adults.Most of those who have died so far in Mexico were young adults.
A top US health official warned that there could be worse to come.A top US health official warned that there could be worse to come.
"From what we understand in Mexico, I think people need to be ready for the idea that we could see more severe cases in this country and possibly deaths," Richard Besser, acting head of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told ABC television."From what we understand in Mexico, I think people need to be ready for the idea that we could see more severe cases in this country and possibly deaths," Richard Besser, acting head of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told ABC television.
President Obama described the situation as "obviously a cause for concern" that "requires a heightened state of alert", but added "it is not a cause for alarm".
He told a meeting of scientists that a public health emergency - declared after cases were found in New York, California, Texas, Kansas and Ohio - was a "precautionary tool" to ensure that all the necessary resources are available "to respond quickly and effectively".
Screening
Countries across the world are taking measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
In the Mexican capital schools, bars and public buildings remained closed and many people were staying indoors.In the Mexican capital schools, bars and public buildings remained closed and many people were staying indoors.
The BBC talks to people in Mexico City about the flu outbreak.In picturesThe BBC talks to people in Mexico City about the flu outbreak.In pictures
Soldiers handed out six million masks in and around the capital region, where the outbreak is centred.Soldiers handed out six million masks in and around the capital region, where the outbreak is centred.
In Canada, cases were recorded at opposite ends of the country, in British Columbia and in Nova Scotia, while in Spain, a young man who had recently returned from Mexico was found to have the virus. He was said to be in a stable condition.In Canada, cases were recorded at opposite ends of the country, in British Columbia and in Nova Scotia, while in Spain, a young man who had recently returned from Mexico was found to have the virus. He was said to be in a stable condition.
A number of countries in Asia, Latin America and Europe have begun screening airport passengers for symptoms, while Germany's biggest tour operator has suspended trips to Mexico.A number of countries in Asia, Latin America and Europe have begun screening airport passengers for symptoms, while Germany's biggest tour operator has suspended trips to Mexico.
Several countries have banned imports of raw pork and pork products from Mexico and parts of the US, although experts say there is no evidence to link exposure to pork with infection.Several countries have banned imports of raw pork and pork products from Mexico and parts of the US, although experts say there is no evidence to link exposure to pork with infection.
Shares in airlines have fallen sharply on fears about the economic impact of the outbreak.
Mexico: 103 dead - 20 confirmed to have died from swine flu, 18 confirmed ill with swine fluUnited States: 20 confirmed cases of swine fluCanada: 6 confirmed casesSpain: 1 confirmed caseUK, Spain, Israel, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand: suspected cases being tested Mexico: 103 dead - 26 confirmed cases United States: 40 confirmed cases of swine fluCanada: 6 confirmed casesSpain: 1 confirmed caseUK, Spain, Israel, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand: suspected cases being tested
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Are you in a country which has confirmed the virus? Do you know someone who has been affected by the outbreak? Are you a health worker in one of the affected countries? Tell us your experiences by filling in the form below.Are you in a country which has confirmed the virus? Do you know someone who has been affected by the outbreak? Are you a health worker in one of the affected countries? Tell us your experiences by filling in the form below.
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