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Mexico shuts down to control flu Mexico shuts down to control flu
(10 minutes later)
Mexico is beginning a five-day shutdown of parts of its economy in a bid to slow the spread of swine flu.Mexico is beginning a five-day shutdown of parts of its economy in a bid to slow the spread of swine flu.
Non-essential government services will be suspended, while businesses such as cinemas and restaurants will be closed.Non-essential government services will be suspended, while businesses such as cinemas and restaurants will be closed.
Mexican officials say the spread of the virus - suspected in more than 160 deaths - is slowing, but international experts are more cautious.Mexican officials say the spread of the virus - suspected in more than 160 deaths - is slowing, but international experts are more cautious.
Globally, cases of swine flu have now been confirmed in 12 countries across three continents.Globally, cases of swine flu have now been confirmed in 12 countries across three continents.
In cases outside Mexico the virus does not appear to be severe, although one death has been confirmed in the US.In cases outside Mexico the virus does not appear to be severe, although one death has been confirmed in the US.
The WHO has set its pandemic alert level at five - but says it has no immediate plans to move to the highest level of six.The WHO has set its pandemic alert level at five - but says it has no immediate plans to move to the highest level of six.
Economy fearsEconomy fears
The shut-down in Mexico covers two public holidays and a weekend.The shut-down in Mexico covers two public holidays and a weekend.
CONFIRMED CASES Mexico: 168 suspected deaths - 12 confirmedUS: one death, at least 109 confirmed casesNew Zealand: 3 confirmed, 13 probable casesCanada: 19 confirmed casesUK: 8 confirmed casesSpain: 10 confirmed casesGermany: 3 confirmed cases Israel, Costa Rica: 2 confirmed cases eachThe Netherland, Switzerland, Austria: 1 confirmed case each Peru case now 'unconfirmed' by national government Mapping the outbreak Mexico: First swine flu cases Border town not slowing down UK swine flu couple 'feared dying'CONFIRMED CASES Mexico: 168 suspected deaths - 12 confirmedUS: one death, at least 109 confirmed casesNew Zealand: 3 confirmed, 13 probable casesCanada: 19 confirmed casesUK: 8 confirmed casesSpain: 10 confirmed casesGermany: 3 confirmed cases Israel, Costa Rica: 2 confirmed cases eachThe Netherland, Switzerland, Austria: 1 confirmed case each Peru case now 'unconfirmed' by national government Mapping the outbreak Mexico: First swine flu cases Border town not slowing down UK swine flu couple 'feared dying'
Some factories will stop production and schools are already closed. Residents have been urged to stay at home.Some factories will stop production and schools are already closed. Residents have been urged to stay at home.
But some people say they will ignore it because they cannot afford not to work.But some people say they will ignore it because they cannot afford not to work.
There is also growing concern at the effect the virus could have on Mexico's already-struggling economy.There is also growing concern at the effect the virus could have on Mexico's already-struggling economy.
The number of confirmed cases of swine flu infection in Mexico now stands at about 300, officials say.The number of confirmed cases of swine flu infection in Mexico now stands at about 300, officials say.
Twelve people are known to have died from the virus and it is suspected in more than 160 other deaths.Twelve people are known to have died from the virus and it is suspected in more than 160 other deaths.
Announcing the figures, Mexican Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova said that new cases of the virus were levelling off.Announcing the figures, Mexican Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova said that new cases of the virus were levelling off.
"The fact that we have a stabilisation in the daily numbers, even a drop, makes us optimistic," he said."The fact that we have a stabilisation in the daily numbers, even a drop, makes us optimistic," he said.
But Dr Keiji Fukuda, acting assistant director general of the World Health Organisation, said fluctuations were to be expected. "If it didn't do that [it] would be very unusual," he said.But Dr Keiji Fukuda, acting assistant director general of the World Health Organisation, said fluctuations were to be expected. "If it didn't do that [it] would be very unusual," he said.
In other developments:In other developments:
• The US has announced that it will buy 13 million new courses of antiviral treatment and send 400,000 of them to Mexico• The US has announced that it will buy 13 million new courses of antiviral treatment and send 400,000 of them to Mexico
  • Test results are expected to confirm the UK's first person-to-person transmission of swine flu, in a friend of a couple from Scotland who were first in the country to be diagnosed with the virus
    		• • Test results are expected to confirm the UK's first person-to-person transmission of swine flu, in a friend of a couple from Scotland who were first in the country to be diagnosed with the virus
    • Mexico says it will lodge a formal challenge at the World Trade Organisation demanding explanations from countries that have banned imports of Mexican pork products• Mexico says it will lodge a formal challenge at the World Trade Organisation demanding explanations from countries that have banned imports of Mexican pork products
    • The Inter-American Development Bank said it would approve $3bn in loans to help Mexico fight the virus• The Inter-American Development Bank said it would approve $3bn in loans to help Mexico fight the virus
    'No panic''No panic'
    On Thursday European health ministers held an emergency meeting on measures to tackle the virus, which has been confirmed in six European countries.On Thursday European health ministers held an emergency meeting on measures to tackle the virus, which has been confirmed in six European countries.
    SYMPTOMS - WHAT TO DO Swine flu symptoms are similar to those produced by ordinary seasonal flu - fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigueIf you have flu symptoms and recently visited affected areas of Mexico, you should seek medical adviceIf you suspect you are infected, you should stay at home and take advice by telephone initially, in order to minimise the risk of infection Q&A: What is swine flu? In pictures: Swine flu concern Mexican economy squeezed by flu The quest for a swine flu vaccineSYMPTOMS - WHAT TO DO Swine flu symptoms are similar to those produced by ordinary seasonal flu - fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigueIf you have flu symptoms and recently visited affected areas of Mexico, you should seek medical adviceIf you suspect you are infected, you should stay at home and take advice by telephone initially, in order to minimise the risk of infection Q&A: What is swine flu? In pictures: Swine flu concern Mexican economy squeezed by flu The quest for a swine flu vaccine
    EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said Europe was well prepared to handle swine flu and there was "no need to panic".EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said Europe was well prepared to handle swine flu and there was "no need to panic".
    The ministers agreed to work with pharmaceutical companies to develop a vaccine, but rejected a French plan to suspend flights to Mexico.The ministers agreed to work with pharmaceutical companies to develop a vaccine, but rejected a French plan to suspend flights to Mexico.
    Several countries have restricted travel to Mexico and many tour operators have cancelled holidays.Several countries have restricted travel to Mexico and many tour operators have cancelled holidays.
    The WHO, meanwhile, says it will now call the virus influenza A (H1N1) rather than swine flu - which it says is misleading as pork meat is safe and the virus is being transmitted from human to human.The WHO, meanwhile, says it will now call the virus influenza A (H1N1) rather than swine flu - which it says is misleading as pork meat is safe and the virus is being transmitted from human to human.
    Have you been affected by swine flu? You can send your experiences using the form below.Have you been affected by swine flu? You can send your experiences using the form below.
    A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
    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