Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Developments on swine flu worldwide

By The Associated Press The Associated Press – 2 hrs 55 mins ago

Key developments on swine flu outbreaks, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and government officials:

_Deaths: 149, all in Mexico, 20 confirmed as swine flu and rest suspected.

_Sickened: 1,995 people in Mexico got pneumonia but swine flu not yet confirmed. 50 confirmed in U.S., including 28 at one New York City school. Elsewhere, six confirmed in Canada; two confirmed in Scotland and seven suspected; at least 10 suspected in New Zealand; one confirmed and 17 suspected in Spain; one suspected in France; one suspected in Israel.

_U.S. states with cases: 28 in New York, 13 in California, six in Texas, two in Kansas and one in Ohio.

_Safety measures in Mexico: All schools suspended until May 6. In Mexico City, surgical masks given to the public, venues closed and public events canceled. President assumed new powers to isolate infected people. World Bank loaning Mexico more than $200 million.

_Safety measures in U.S: Public health emergency declared. Roughly 12 million doses of Tamiflu from federal stockpile to be delivered to states. Nonessential travel to Mexico discouraged. Travelers questioned at Mexico border. Some schools closed in New York City, Texas, California, South Carolina and Ohio.

_Safety measures worldwide: WHO raises alert to Phase 4, noting disease spreads easily but isn't 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 travelers from Mexico and United States. Some countries ban pork imports.

_Economic effects: World stock markets fall as investors worry that outbreak could derail economic recovery, with airlines taking brunt of sell-off.

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