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Swine flu cases spread across US Swine flu cases spread across US
(about 1 hour later)
Some 226 swine flu cases have been confirmed in 30 states and more cases are expected, US health officials say.Some 226 swine flu cases have been confirmed in 30 states and more cases are expected, US health officials say.
They said most cases were mild and the spread was no worse than a seasonal flu outbreak. The World Health Organization has said the danger is not over yet. They said most cases were mild - although a small girl visiting from Mexico has died - and the spread was no worse than seasonal flu.
Mexico, where the outbreak originated, says cases of new infections are declining and authorities will decide on whether to allow schools to reopen.Mexico, where the outbreak originated, says cases of new infections are declining and authorities will decide on whether to allow schools to reopen.
China has quarantined more than 70 Mexicans prompting a row with Mexico. But the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against complacency.
Without mentioning China by name, President Felipe Calderon said countries were "taking discriminatory measures because of ignorance". WHO chief Margaret Chan said the real test would come when the winter influenza season hits countries.
China's foreign ministry said the move was "a purely medical quarantine issue" and not an act of discrimination. "We hope the virus fizzles out, because if it doesn't we are heading for a big outbreak," she told the UK's Financial Times.
Just over 100 people in Mexico are thought to have died from the swine flu strain, although only 25 cases have been confirmed. CONFIRMED CASES Mexico: 101 suspected deaths - 25 confirmedUS: One death, 226 confirmed casesNew Zealand: 6 confirmed casesCanada: 101 confirmed casesSpain: 44 confirmed casesUK: 18 confirmed casesGermany: 8 confirmed casesIsrael: 3 confirmed casesFrance: 4 confirmed cases Italy: 2 confirmed cases El Salvador: 2 confirmed cases Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, South Korea, Irish Republic, Costa Rica, Colombia: 1 confirmed case
Countries with confirmed cases of secondary transmission: Mexico, US, Canada, Spain, Germany, UK class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/8021547.stm">Mapping the outbreak class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/8031490.stm">Clashes erupt over Egypt pig cull class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/8031132.stm">Did Mexico over-react to flu?
The WHO said on Monday, 985 cases of the virus had been officially reported across 20 countries. "I'm not predicting the pandemic will blow up, but if I miss it and we don't prepare, I fail. I'd rather over-prepare than not prepare".
She indicated that the WHO is likely to raise its flu alert level to the top of its six-point scale - meaning the virus has spread between different regions and a global pandemic is under way.
But she stressed that this does not necessary mean every country will be affected, and that there will be many more deaths.
"It is a signal to public health authorities to take appropriate measures," she said.
The WHO said on Monday that 985 cases of the virus had been officially reported across 20 countries.
Person-to-person transmission has been confirmed in six countries.Person-to-person transmission has been confirmed in six countries.
Also: Just over 100 people in Mexico are thought to have died from the swine flu strain, although only 25 cases have been confirmed.
• Turkish media reports of a patient dying from swine flu in the southern Antalya province are denied by a hospital spokeswoman to Reuters news agency Elsewhere:
• The outbreak is having diplomatic repercussions, with a row breaking out between Mexico and China after Beijing quarantined 70 Mexicans
• Spain raises the number of confirmed cases from 40 to 44, making it the worst-hit country in Europe• Spain raises the number of confirmed cases from 40 to 44, making it the worst-hit country in Europe
• Two new cases are confirmed in France bringing the total to four, the AFP news agency reports• Two new cases are confirmed in France bringing the total to four, the AFP news agency reports
• Turkish media reports of a patient dying from swine flu in the southern Antalya province are denied by a hospital spokeswoman to Reuters news agency
'Not over yet''Not over yet'
In the US, the number of confirmed cases rose from 160 to 226. Officials said this was because the results of lab tests were now coming through, rather than because of a new surge in cases.In the US, the number of confirmed cases rose from 160 to 226. Officials said this was because the results of lab tests were now coming through, rather than because of a new surge in cases.
CONFIRMED CASES Mexico: 101 suspected deaths - 25 confirmedUS: One death, 226 confirmed casesNew Zealand: 6 confirmed casesCanada: 101 confirmed casesSpain: 44 confirmed casesUK: 18 confirmed casesGermany: 8 confirmed casesIsrael: 3 confirmed casesFrance: 4 confirmed cases Italy: 2 confirmed cases El Salvador: 2 confirmed cases Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, South Korea, Irish Republic, Costa Rica, Colombia: 1 confirmed case
Countries with confirmed cases of secondary transmission: Mexico, US, Canada, Spain, Germany, UK class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/8021547.stm">Mapping the outbreak class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/8031490.stm">Clashes erupt over Egypt pig cull class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/8031132.stm">Did Mexico over-react to flu? 		Advertisement
Mexicans trying to get back to normal
But an expert from America's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the virus was fairly widespread.But an expert from America's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the virus was fairly widespread.
"Virtually all of the United States probably has this virus circulating now," Dr Anne Schuchat said."Virtually all of the United States probably has this virus circulating now," Dr Anne Schuchat said.
"That doesn't mean that everybody's infected, but within the communities, the virus has arrived.""That doesn't mean that everybody's infected, but within the communities, the virus has arrived."
She said the good news is that most cases are mild, although a small child who was visiting from Mexico has died. She said that although she expected cases to become more severe and to lead to deaths, this in itself would not be unusual as every year 36,000 people die in the US after contracting seasonal flu.
Dr Schuchat said that although she expected cases to become more severe and to lead to deaths, this in itself would not be unusual as every year 36,000 people die in the US after contracting seasonal flu. But she warned: "I don't think we're out of the woods yet." But she warned: "I don't think we're out of the woods yet."
The WHO has said authorities must not lower their guard in the response over the swine flu outbreak.
The current "round of activity" might have peaked, WHO official Gregory Hartl said, but that did not mean it was over.
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Mexicans trying to get back to normal
"There is a high possibility that this virus will come back, especially in colder periods," he said.
'Discriminatory measures''Discriminatory measures'
Mexican officials are due to decide on Monday whether to allow schools and businesses to reopen after reporting that its most lethal outbreak might be levelling off.Mexican officials are due to decide on Monday whether to allow schools and businesses to reopen after reporting that its most lethal outbreak might be levelling off.
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: Advice about swine fluSYMPTOMS - 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: Advice about swine flu
Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova said that the virus appeared to have peaked between 23-28 April.Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova said that the virus appeared to have peaked between 23-28 April.
"The evolution of the epidemic is now in its declining phase," he told a news conference."The evolution of the epidemic is now in its declining phase," he told a news conference.
President Felipe Calderon, meanwhile, has denounced what he described as "discriminatory measures" against Mexicans by some countries "because of ignorance and misinformation".President Felipe Calderon, meanwhile, has denounced what he described as "discriminatory measures" against Mexicans by some countries "because of ignorance and misinformation".
He did not name any countries, but it came after Mexico criticised China for placing in quarantine up to 70 Mexicans, even though they had shown no sign of having contracted swine flu.He did not name any countries, but it came after Mexico criticised China for placing in quarantine up to 70 Mexicans, even though they had shown no sign of having contracted swine flu.
Mexico said it was planning to send a plane to Beijing to pick up the Mexicans.Mexico said it was planning to send a plane to Beijing to pick up the Mexicans.
China denied it was being discriminatory. "This is purely a question of health inspection and quarantine," the foreign ministry said.China denied it was being discriminatory. "This is purely a question of health inspection and quarantine," the foreign ministry said.
More than 300 guests at a hotel in Hong Kong have also been under quarantine for a week after a fellow guest contracted the disease.More than 300 guests at a hotel in Hong Kong have also been under quarantine for a week after a fellow guest contracted the disease.
One guest, Kevin Ireland, spoke of a "sense of paranoia" initially by the authorities - who tackled the Sars outbreak in 2003 - but added that "there's no restriction on any kind of interaction" among the guests.One guest, Kevin Ireland, spoke of a "sense of paranoia" initially by the authorities - who tackled the Sars outbreak in 2003 - but added that "there's no restriction on any kind of interaction" among the guests.