Mexico flu toll rises to 60May 14th, 2009 MEXICO CITY - The toll in Mexico's swine flu outbreak has risen to 60, Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova Villalobos said. A total of 2,386 people have been infected with the influenza A(H1N1) virus, also called swine flu.
Swine flu infections rise to over 3,000 worldwide, says WHOMay 10th, 2009 GENEVA - The number of swine flu infections worldwide has reached 3,440, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said Saturday. The swine flu infections in the US increased to 1,639 Friday, surpassing Mexico's total of 1,364 for the first time.
China reports first suspected case of swine flu on mainlandMay 10th, 2009 China reports suspected swine flu caseBEIJING — A Chinese man returning from studying at a U.S. university has become the first suspected case of swine flu in mainland China, the Health Ministry said Sunday.
UN, WHO chiefs say no plans for highest pandemic level yetMay 4th, 2009 UN says no plans for highest pandemic level yetUNITED NATIONS — The heads of the United Nations and the World Health Organization say there are no imminent plans to raise its pandemic alert to its highest level. In New York on Monday, U.N.
Swine flu outbreak easing in Mexico, says ministerMay 4th, 2009 MEXICO CITY - The Mexican government has said the swine flu outbreak has peaked in the country and is now in decline, with a confirmed human death toll of 22. Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova told reporters Sunday: 'The evolution of the epidemic is now in a phase of decline.'
According to the latest data, 22 people have died of swine flu and 578 people have been infected with the virus.
China develops new method to test swine flu in pigsMay 4th, 2009 BEIJING - China has developed a new diagnostic method to test influenza A(H1N1) virus in pigs, the agriculture ministry said. Officials said the new method can deliver test results within five hours.
Homeland Security boss warns US flu deaths are likely; virus might subside, then returnApril 28th, 2009 Official: Some in US deaths likely from fluWASHINGTON — Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is warning that more severe illnesses and some deaths are likely in the United States from the current swine flu outbreak. At a daily briefing on the government's response to the outbreak, Napolitano also said the virus could subside this summer and return in the fall when the normal flu season begins.
White House asks Congress for $1.5 billion to fight swine flu outbreakApril 28th, 2009 White House asks lawmakers for $1.5b for fluWASHINGTON — The White House is asking Congress for $1.5 billion to fight a swine flu outbreak. President Barack Obama sent a letter to lawmakers on Tuesday, asking them for a supplemental spending plan to build drug stockpiles and monitor future cases.
Swine flu threatens prospects of global economic recoveryApril 28th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The outbreak and spread of swine flu has come at a time when the global economy is trying to come out of the worst downturn since World War II and has threatened chances of an early recovery, especially in the US. In recent weeks, economic data suggested a bottoming-out of the global financial crisis, but economists Monday were forced to consider worst-case scenarios in which the recession could become two or three times as painful, the Washington Post reported Tuesday.
Caterpillar restricts employee travel to Mexico because of swine fluApril 28th, 2009 Swine flu has Caterpillar restrict Mexican travelPEORIA, Ill. — Heavy equipment maker Caterpillar Inc.
Swine flu 'most serious concern' for world: UN chiefApril 27th, 2009 NEW YORK - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said here Monday the outbreak of swine flu 'has become one of the most serious concerns of the international community', and called for 'global solidarity' to fight the epidemic. Ban, in a statement he read out to the press, said: 'We are concerned that this (swine flu) virus would cause a new influenza pandemic.'
'If we are indeed facing a pandemic, we need to demonstrate global solidarity,' Ban said.
Swine flu outbreak a 'concern' not alarm: ObamaApril 27th, 2009 WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama said he was closely watching an outbreak of swine flu in the US, where 20 cases have so far been identified, but urged people to remain calm. 'This is obviously a cause for concern and requires a heightened state of alert, but it's not a cause for alarm,' Obama said in a speech at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington.
House panel schedules emergency swine flu hearing this week, out of concern about an outbreakApril 27th, 2009 House panel to probe swine flu outbreakWASHINGTON — A House committee will hold an emergency hearing this week on increasing cases of swine flu in the United States and other countries. Health subcommittee Chairman Frank Pallone Jr., said Monday that his session will address the public's concern over a potential outbreak and make sure that government agencies are coordinating to protect people as efficiently as possible.
World Bank gives Mexico more than $200 million in loans to help with swine flu outbreakApril 26th, 2009 World Bank gives aid to Mexico for swine fluWASHINGTON — The World Bank said Sunday that it is providing Mexico with more than $200 million in loans to help it deal with an outbreak of a new strain of swine flu. Mexican health officials say swine flu has killed up to 86 people and probably sickened about 1,400 in the country since April 13.
Mexico empowers health department to isolate patients, inspect homes in swine flu outbreakApril 25th, 2009 Mexico may isolate flu patients, inspect homesMEXICO CITY — The Mexican government has issued a special decree clarifying Health Department powers to isolate patients and to inspect homes, incoming travelers and baggage to curb an outbreak of swine flu. Officials say the decree gives clear legal authority to health department workers who might otherwise face lawsuits.