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Flu bans heighten trade tensions Flu bans heighten trade tensions
(2 days later)
Mexico says it has written to the World Trade Organization (WTO), demanding an explanation from countries which have restricted its imports over swine flu.Mexico says it has written to the World Trade Organization (WTO), demanding an explanation from countries which have restricted its imports over swine flu.
Economy Minister Gerardo Ruiz Mateos said such bans lacked a basis in science and would not be permitted.Economy Minister Gerardo Ruiz Mateos said such bans lacked a basis in science and would not be permitted.
Among others, Russia and China have banned pork products or pigs from Mexico and other affected countries.Among others, Russia and China have banned pork products or pigs from Mexico and other affected countries.
Of 1,490 infections verified in 20 countries, 30 people have died - 29 in Mexico, and one in the US.Of 1,490 infections verified in 20 countries, 30 people have died - 29 in Mexico, and one in the US.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging nations to remain vigilant, saying a global pandemic still threatens.The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging nations to remain vigilant, saying a global pandemic still threatens.
It is shipping 2.4 million anti-flu treatments donated by Tamiflu manufacturer Roche to 72 countries "most in need" of them, including Mexico and countries finding it hard to pay to stockpile adequate supplies.It is shipping 2.4 million anti-flu treatments donated by Tamiflu manufacturer Roche to 72 countries "most in need" of them, including Mexico and countries finding it hard to pay to stockpile adequate supplies.
We are constantly told that pork is not dangerous. But at the same time, nobody has proved that it is safe Nikolai Vlasov Russian chief veterinary inspector Mexico starts China flu airliftWe are constantly told that pork is not dangerous. But at the same time, nobody has proved that it is safe Nikolai Vlasov Russian chief veterinary inspector Mexico starts China flu airlift
Normal life is beginning to resume in Mexico, with traffic returning to the streets of the capital and some bars reopening.Normal life is beginning to resume in Mexico, with traffic returning to the streets of the capital and some bars reopening.
Schools and universities are set to reopen on Thursday.Schools and universities are set to reopen on Thursday.
In other developments:In other developments:
  • China extends its ban on pork products to 17 more US states, bringing the total number to 36, reports Reuters news agency
  • Dozens of Mexicans are being flown home from China on a specially-chartered Mexican plane. They are among about 70 Mexicans confined despite just one confirmed case of the virus. The issue sparked a diplomatic row, with Mexico accusing China of targeting its citizens unfairly, and Beijing saying it was a "purely medical" issue
  • The UK is delivering specially-produced leaflets offering advice on swine flu and advice on how to prevent its spread
  • China extends its ban on pork products to 17 more US states, bringing the total number to 36, reports Reuters news agency
  • Dozens of Mexicans are being flown home from China on a specially-chartered Mexican plane. They are among about 70 Mexicans confined despite just one confirmed case of the virus. The issue sparked a diplomatic row, with Mexico accusing China of targeting its citizens unfairly, and Beijing saying it was a "purely medical" issue
  • The UK is delivering specially-produced leaflets offering advice on swine flu and advice on how to prevent its spread
'Unjustified barriers''Unjustified barriers'
Mr Ruiz Mateos said a complaint had been sent to the WTO regarding eight countries which have imposed restrictions on Mexican imports, arguing the restrictions lack a scientific basis. Mr Ruiz Mateos said a complaint had been sent to the WTO regarding eight countries which have imposed restrictions on Mexican exports, arguing the restrictions lack a scientific basis.
The trade restrictions are among tough measures imposed by some countries in an apparent bid to tackle the spread of swine flu, which the WHO currently rates as a level five threat - meaning a pandemic is "imminent".The trade restrictions are among tough measures imposed by some countries in an apparent bid to tackle the spread of swine flu, which the WHO currently rates as a level five threat - meaning a pandemic is "imminent".
CONFIRMED CASES Mexico: 101 suspected deaths - 29 confirmed; 840 confirmed casesUS: One death, 403 confirmed casesCanada: 140 confirmed casesSpain: 57 confirmed casesUK: 27 confirmed cases Swine flu: Mapping the outbreak Quarantined hotel guests frustrated In pictures: Weathering swine fluCONFIRMED CASES Mexico: 101 suspected deaths - 29 confirmed; 840 confirmed casesUS: One death, 403 confirmed casesCanada: 140 confirmed casesSpain: 57 confirmed casesUK: 27 confirmed cases Swine flu: Mapping the outbreak Quarantined hotel guests frustrated In pictures: Weathering swine flu
The eight identified by Mr Ruiz Mateos are China, Russia, the UAE, Ukraine, Bolivia, Ecuador, Honduras and Azerbaijan.The eight identified by Mr Ruiz Mateos are China, Russia, the UAE, Ukraine, Bolivia, Ecuador, Honduras and Azerbaijan.
"We won't permit unjustified barriers on Mexican exports," Mr Ruiz Mateos told a news conference."We won't permit unjustified barriers on Mexican exports," Mr Ruiz Mateos told a news conference.
He said the countries he had singled out were not big trading partners with Mexico, but the action sought to ward off similar measures by other countries.He said the countries he had singled out were not big trading partners with Mexico, but the action sought to ward off similar measures by other countries.
Mexican Finance Minister Agustin Carstens said the government was set to offer measures such as temporary tax relief to companies hit by the crisis, and that this would likely cost the economy some 17.4bn pesos ($1.3bn; £873m) overall.Mexican Finance Minister Agustin Carstens said the government was set to offer measures such as temporary tax relief to companies hit by the crisis, and that this would likely cost the economy some 17.4bn pesos ($1.3bn; £873m) overall.
Several of the countries which have found their pork exports banned as a result of swine flu have argued there is no proof that the infection can be caught by eating pork - a stance backed by scientists, says BBC business reporter Rodney Smith.Several of the countries which have found their pork exports banned as a result of swine flu have argued there is no proof that the infection can be caught by eating pork - a stance backed by scientists, says BBC business reporter Rodney Smith.
The tough measures taken by some countries have already increased some tensions, particularly in the areas of trade and travel links.The tough measures taken by some countries have already increased some tensions, particularly in the areas of trade and travel links.
Chinese authorities are taking no risks with the quarantined MexicansChinese authorities are taking no risks with the quarantined Mexicans
But, speaking after imposing a ban on British pork, Nikolai Vlasov, Russia's chief veterinary inspector, defended the measures.But, speaking after imposing a ban on British pork, Nikolai Vlasov, Russia's chief veterinary inspector, defended the measures.
"We are constantly told that pork is not dangerous," Mr Vlasov said, according to Associated Press news agency."We are constantly told that pork is not dangerous," Mr Vlasov said, according to Associated Press news agency.
"But at the same time, nobody has proved that it is safe.""But at the same time, nobody has proved that it is safe."
As well as the UK, Russia has banned pork products from Spain, parts of Canada and the United States. It has banned all meat imports from Mexico, Central American and Caribbean countries.As well as the UK, Russia has banned pork products from Spain, parts of Canada and the United States. It has banned all meat imports from Mexico, Central American and Caribbean countries.
China has banned imports of live pigs and pork products from 15 countries including several in central Asia, central America and Europe, as well as several US states and the Canadian province of Alberta.China has banned imports of live pigs and pork products from 15 countries including several in central Asia, central America and Europe, as well as several US states and the Canadian province of Alberta.
Have you been affected by swine flu? Are you under quarantine? You can send us your experiences using the form below:Have you been affected by swine flu? Are you under quarantine? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
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