Recent developments and details in the ongoing global swine flu outbreak
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/04/2009 (6009 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The latest swine flu developments:
Death toll: 149, most of them suspected cases, all in Mexico.
Confirmed cases in Canada: Six (four in Nova Scotia, two in B.C.)
Mexico cases: 1,995 suspected and confirmed cases.
Confirmed cases elsewhere: 48 in U.S. (28 at a New York City school, 11 in California, six in Texas, two in Kansas and one in Ohio); one in Spain, two in Scotland.
Latest developments:
-World Health Organization raises alert to Phase 4, noting disease spreads easily but isn’t yet a pandemic.
-European Union health commissioner urges Europeans to postpone nonessential travel to U.S. and Mexico. Hong Kong and South Korea warn against travel to parts of Mexico. Airports screen travellers from Mexico and United States. Some countries ban pork imports.
-All school in Mexico suspended until May 6. In Mexico City, surgical masks given to the public, venues closed and public events cancelled. President assumed new powers to isolate infected people. World Bank loaning Mexico more than $200 million.
-Public health emergency declared in U.S. Roughly 12 million doses of Tamiflu from federal stockpile to be delivered to states. Non-essential travel to Mexico discouraged. Travellers questioned at Mexico border. Some schools closed in New York City, Texas, California, South Carolina and Ohio.
-India and Malaysia urge citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Canada; Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan cautions other countries against “premature” travel advisories.
-World stock markets fall amid fears outbreak could derail economic recovery; airlines hit hard as travel companies in Europe and Asia cancel tours to Mexico. Pharmaceutical manufacturers offset market damage amid prospect of global demand for antiviral medications.
Symptoms: Fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing; some report runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Transmission: Believed to occur through coughing or sneezing, or touching contaminated surfaces before touching mouth or nose.
Misnomers: The biggest is the role of pork – the CDC says people cannot get the flu by eating pork or pork products.
Advice: Health officials urge those with flu-like symptoms to avoid work or school, wash hands, cough into sleeves and get medical attention.
Quote: “On top of a synchronized global financial and economic crisis, an outbreak of swine fever is the last thing we need just now.” – Neil Mackinnon, chief economist at ECU Group.
-With files from The Associated Press