Obama health fine after trip to Mexico, which is struggling with swine flu outbreak

July 29th, 2009 Mexico City gives medical insurance to touristsMEXICO CITY — The Mexico City government has launched a program to provide medical insurance to cover tourists who face health problems while visiting the capital. Mayor Marcelo Ebrard says the program was proposed during the April swine flu outbreak that battered the tourism industry in the city, which is visited by about 7 million tourists each year.

May 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.

May 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.

May 2nd, 2009 LONDON - Pop star Michael Jackson has reportedly scrapped a house-hunting trip to Britain in the wake of the swine flu outbreak. The 'Thriller' hit maker was set to visit Britain later this month to find a place to stay as he takes up residency at London's O2 arena from July for a string of comeback shows.

April 29th, 2009 Mexico City mayor: 1 more death, toll stabilizingMEXICO CITY — Mexico City's mayor says the swine flu outbreak seems to be stabilizing, with one more death since he spoke last. If the death toll keeps tapering off, he says he will consider easing the citywide shutdown.

April 28th, 2009 Swine flu has Caterpillar restrict Mexican travelPEORIA, Ill. — Heavy equipment maker Caterpillar Inc.

April 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.

April 27th, 2009 WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama does not have swine flu, White House aides have said. The all clear on his medical condition came after rumors that he had acquired it during his recent trip to Mexico.

April 27th, 2009 Six Flags closes indoor park facilities in MexicoNEW YORK — Six Flags Inc. confirmed Monday that it shut down indoor facilities — including restaurants and show venues — at its Mexico City theme park over the weekend at the recommendation of Mexican health officials working to contain the spread of swine flu.

April 27th, 2009 Congress to probe swine flu outbreakWASHINGTON — Congress plans to hold emergency hearings this week on swine flu. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, the chairman of an appropriations subcommittee dealing with health issues, called for a hearing Tuesday afternoon to explore the public health response to the outbreak.

April 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.

April 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.

April 25th, 2009 WHO chief to oversee handling of swine flu crisisGENEVA — The head of the World Health Organization arrived in Geneva on Saturday to oversee the agency's handling of the swine flu outbreak that is believed to have killed dozens of people in Mexico. Margaret Chan broke off a visit to Washington to return to WHO's Strategic Health Operation Center in Switzerland, where she was being briefed before an emergency committee meeting later Saturday to consider whether to raise the pandemic alert level or issue travel advisories, spokesman Gregory Hartl said.

April 25th, 2009 Mexico City cancels all public events for 10 daysMEXICO CITY — Mexico City is suspending all public events for 10 days as officials try to contain an outbreak of a deadly new swine flu. Mayor Marcelo Ebrard says the city has enough medicine to treat those infected, but the city's focus is on containing the spread of the strain.

April 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.