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[Bianca]

                                                       Mexico flu sparks worldwide fear 






BBC NEWS
April 26, 2009
 
Mexico has ramped up its containment efforts. 

Mexican authorities have taken drastic measures to contain a new strain of the swine flu virus that has killed 81 and prompted fears of a global pandemic.

People are being urged to stay at home and maintain strict personal hygiene. Many schools, public buildings, bars and restaurants have been closed.

Non-fatal cases have been confirmed in the US and are likely in New Zealand.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that at least some of the cases are a new strain of the virus.





 SWINE FLU


Swine flu is a respiratory disease found in pigs

Human cases usually occur in those who have contact with pigs

Human-to-human transmission is rare and such cases are closely monitored

UK monitoring swine flu outbreak 

H1N1 is the same strain that causes seasonal flu outbreaks in humans,

but the newly detected version contains genetic material from versions of flu

which usually affect pigs and birds.





The respiratory virus - which infects pigs but only sporadically humans - is spread mainly through coughs and sneezes.

The WHO has warned the virus has the potential to become a pandemic.

Several countries in Asia and Latin America have begun screening airport passengers for symptoms.