SWINE FLU IN MEXICO

By Debjani Basu

An epidemic of a swine flu never identified before has broken out in Mexico City killing at least 16 people so far and raising fears of a pandemic.

As researchers braced for the toll to grow, Mexico’s government cancelled school for 7 million children, shuttered museums and theatres, banned public events and urged the sick not to travel – especially by plane.

The number of cases in San Diego County is almost certain to rise as detection efforts ramp up at doctors' offices, clinics and hospital emergency rooms, the region's infectious-disease experts said.

Despite efforts to forestall panic, the quickly expanding disease is causing global alarm after infecting more than 1,000 people in Mexico. The World Health Organization is helping local health experts track cases and pursue the outbreak's origins. Its officials yesterday confirmed that 20 of the dead had swine flu, and they're investigating about 50 other cases. The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Saturday it will hold an emergency meeting to discuss about the deadly swine flu strain outbreak in Mexico and the United States.

President Barack Obama was briefed on the swine flu's spread , and his health advisers are tracking the situation.

Epidemiologists said people should take common-sense steps to avoid spreading influenza, such as washing their hands and covering their mouths when they sneeze. They also asked residents to refrain from shaking hands or giving the common Mexican greeting to a woman of a kiss on the right cheek. Public health leaders asked people to remain patient and not panic. They urged patients with flu symptoms to consult their physicians and avoid public places.

County officials also are working to make sure they have enough lab supplies to handle a major rise in demand for testing specimens from patients with flu symptoms.