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Swine flu epidemic spread deeper into North America

May 04, 2009
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The reports on Sunday say that the swine flu epidemic spread deeper into Mexico, United States and, in a lesser extent, into Canada.

So far, twenty-five deaths were reported in Mexico,  the epicenter of the outbreak with 590 cases. The United States has reported 226 cases in 30 states, including one death, a Mexican toddler who was visiting relatives in the United States.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned on Monday that swine flu could return with a vengeance despite Mexico's President Felipe Calderon insisting his country has contained the epidemic, reports AFP on Monday WHO is likely to raise its flu alert to the top of its six-point scale and declare a pandemic, its director-general indicated in an interview published on Monday, May 4.

In the United States, officials in New Mexico announced Sunday that 14 schools in four towns were closed for at least a week after the state's first swine flu case was confirmed, and the New Mexico Activities Association suspended all athletic and activity programs until further notice at member schools across the state, the Associated Press reported.

In Arizona, all 10 public schools in the border city of Nogales canceled classes this week after a student tested positive for swine flu. In California, officials suspended all visitations at prisons pending results of tests on an ill inmate at Centinela State Prison.

In neighboring Mexico, on Sunday, it was the official start of campaigning for July 5 congressional elections. All public campaigning was banned to prevent gatherings where the virus could spread.

The closed events made for a surreal Sunday in Mexico, as parishioners celebrated Mass via television, camera operators were the only ones in stadium bleachers and parks, museums, restaurants, theaters and other attractions were closed.

According to the Associated Press, Gabriela Cuevas Barron of the conservative National Action Party giddily claimed she was launching Mexico's first virtual campaign, promising in a Webcast to work for a cleaner and safer Mexico City — for now, through Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Meanwhile, the leftist Democratic Revolution Party was already up with a Facebook page for its candidates.

The United States said it had sent 100,000 protection kits worth $1 million to Mexico for use by first responders. The kits include respiratory masks, protective goggles and overalls. In all, the U.S. has sent $16 million in aid to Mexico since the emergency began, the U.S. Embassy said.

In the Canadian province of Alberta, officials quarantined about 220 pigs that became infected from a worker who had recently returned from Mexico. It was the first documented case of the H1N1 virus being passed from a human to another species. Canada stressed that pigs often get the flu and there's no danger in eating pork.

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