WHO says it is worried about suspicious flu activity, sending help to Mexico

1 hour ago

TORONTO — The World Health Organization says it is very concerned about mounting evidence of suspicious influenza activity in Mexico and the southwestern part of the United States.

Mexico's health minister has confirmed that some of the cases of illness there were caused by a swine flu virus that is responsible for at least seven human cases in the United States.

A WHO spokesperson says the emergency committee of experts that would determine whether to raise the global pandemic alert level has been informed WHO may call them into action

Gregory Hartl says the WHO is sending staff to Mexico to help in the investigations and try to get a better picture of what is going on.

Hartl says the WHO is extremely concerned because there is evidence of what looks like a novel flu virus spreading in five places - the two U.S. states and three parts of Mexico.

He says WHO is in continuous contact with the governments of the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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