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2009 swine flu pandemic in Mexico

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Cases of H1N1 swine flu by state
State Laboratory confirmed cases Other possible cases* Attributed deaths (confirmed)*
Federal District
Mexico State
San Luis Potosí 76[1] 10[1]
Aguascalientes
Oaxaca
Tamaulipas 48[2]
(*) Not all cases have been confirmed as due to this strain. Possible cases are cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) that have not been confirmed through testing to be due to this strain..
Main article: 2009 swine flu outbreak

In March and April 2009, an outbreak of a new strain of influenza commonly referred to as "swine flu" infected many people in Mexico and other parts of the world, causing severe illness. The new strain was identified as a combination of several different strains of Influenzavirus A, subtype H1N1, including separate strains of this subtype circulating in humans and in pigs. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)[3] have expressed serious concerns that the new strain, which transmits between humans and has had a relatively high mortality rate in the possible and confirmed Mexican cases, has the potential to become an influenza pandemic. It is reported that, because the virus is already widespread, containment will be impossible.[4]

Mexican soldiers distributing protective masks to citizens.

As of 27 April 2009, all schools nationwide remain closed until at least May 6.[5][6] Health Minister Córdova noted that the number of new cases had declined during the past three days: from 141 on Saturday to 119 on Sunday and 110 on Monday.[7] It's not clear why there are more deaths in Mexico than in other areas, as there are multiple potential variables, such as a stronger strain of the virus or more exposure to it.[8] No definite conclusion can be reached, however the CDC reported today that swine flu viruses in the US and Mexico match.[9]

Outbreak

  Deaths
  Confirmed cases

The first infected was registered in Perote, Veracruz on April 2, but it was missclassed as an H2N3 case.[10] It was not until April 13 with the first death in Oaxaca,[11] that further research was made, officially detecting the new type of virus on April 16[12]. The pandemic outbreak was first detected in the Federal District, where surveillance began picking up a surge in cases of influenza-like illness starting on March 18.[13] The surge was assumed by authorities to be "late-season flu" (which usually coincides with a mild Influenzavirus B peak[14]) until April 21,[15][16] when a CDC alert concerning two isolated cases of a novel swine flu was reported in the media (see 2009 swine flu outbreak in the United States).[17] Both cases were in US counties on the Mexico – United States border, adjacent to one state in Mexico where the influenza surge had been detected. This was the missing link that connected the surge and the new strain, and established the high suspicion of an outbreak.

Confirmed cases

Dr. José Ángel Córdova Villalobos, the federal Secretary of Health, stated that since March 2009, there have been over 1300 reported cases[18] and put the death toll at 83, with 20 confirmed to be linked to a new swine influenza strain of Influenza A virus subtype H1N1.[19][20][21] As of April 26 there have been 1,614 cases, with 103 deaths and about 400 patients in hospitals. Around two-thirds of the sick patients had recovered.[22]

Response

After a month since the first atypical pneumonia cases were detected, the Mexican government responded and established some measures in Mexico City, the State of Mexico and the State of San Luis Potosí, where the swine flu had spread, to decrease the risk of more infections. Hundreds of soldiers and police officers mobilized by the government have handed out six million surgical masks to citizens in and around Mexico City.[23] On April 24, 2009, schools (from pre-school to university level) as well as libraries, museums, concerts and any public gathering place, were shut down by the government in Mexico City and the neighboring State of Mexico to prevent the disease from spreading further; the schools in Mexico City, the State of Mexico, and the state of San Luis Potosí will remain closed through at least 5 May.[24] Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico City's mayor, has also asked all night-life facilities operators to shut down their places for ten days to prevent further infections.[25] Health Secretary José Ángel Córdova said on April 24 that schools will probably be suspended for at least the following week then, and that it will take around ten days to see the evolution of the virus' behavior, and to consider other measures thereafter.[26] On April 25, President Felipe Calderón declared an emergency which granted him the power to suspend public events and order quarantines.[27] Hours later, Córdova announced classes will be officially suspended through May 6.[28] On 26 April, Natividad González Parás, governor of the northeastern state of Nuevo León, announced that state-wide schools will remain closed until 6 May, and established a quarantine system in airports, central bus stations and the creation of observation points mainly in the southern part of the state at the nearest highways to the borders with other states, in order to realize tests conducted on people arriving from other states.[29] Classes in Coahuila were cancelled on 27 and 28 April, with the possibility of cancelling the rest of the week.[30] On 27 April, Health Secretary José Ángel Córdova announced that schools from all the levels throughout the nation will be suspended until May 6, in order to prevent the spread of the flu.[31]

Economic Impact

The outbreak has caused more strain on an economy that was already under pressure from the current economic crisis. Although the World Bank said it would extend Mexico $25 million in loans for immediate aid and $180 million in long-term assistance [32] it wasn't enough to restore customer investor confidence leading to the peso’s biggest tumble in six months. It seems likely now that Mexico will have to draw on a $47 billion credit line from the International Monetary Fund.[33]

It has been reported that just the alimentary sector within Mexico D.F. is experiencing losses in the excess of $4.5 million dollars per day.[34] Also it has been reported that pork meat price has dropped 30% within Mexico, united with several exportation bans, it will inflict several damage to the industry.[35] Even thought the virus hasn’t expanded throughout all the country, as a precaution, all massive gatherings have been prohibited, affecting the sports industry. Soccer teams report direct loses in the excess of $900,000 dollars per game.[36] It also prompted cancellations of all the festivals in the country.[37]

See also

Wikinews has related news:

References

  1. ^ a b "Confirman las autoridades de SLP cinco nuevas muertes; dos decesos en Tamaulipas". La Jornada. La Jornada. April 27, 2009. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
  2. ^ "Aumenta a 48 los casos sospechosos de Influenza Porcina en Tamaulipas". Metro Noticias de Tamaulipas. April 28, 2009. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
  3. ^ "CDC Press Briefing Transcripts". CDC. 2009-01-23. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
  4. ^ Laura Kennedy (April 25, 2009). "Swine Flu Spreading In The U.S." WDIO-TV. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
  5. ^ "All schools closed in Mexico".
  6. ^ Staff writer (2009-04-27). "Todo el país sin clases por la influenza" (in Spanish). El Universal. Retrieved 2009-04-27.
  7. ^ "All 'Too late' to contain swine flu".
  8. ^ [1]
  9. ^ [2]
  10. ^ "Se adquiere mas informacion de los primeros casos" (in Spanish). El Universal. 2009-04-27.
  11. ^ "Virus muto en oaxaqueña" (in Spanish). El Universal. 2009-04-27.
  12. ^ "La confirmacion de la peor pesadilla para México" (in Spanish). El Universal. 2009-04-27.
  13. ^ "Q&A: Swine flu". BBC News.
  14. ^ McNeil Jr., Donald G. (209-04-26). "Flu Outbreak Raises a Set of Questions". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-04-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ Mark Stevenson (2009-04-25). "U.S., Mexico battle deadly flu outbreak". Associated Press.
  16. ^ Brown David (26 April 2009). "U.S. Slow to Learn of Mexico Flu". Washington Post.
  17. ^ Mike Stobbe (April 21, 2009). "Officials alert doctors after 2 California children infected with unusual swine flu". Associated Press. Retrieved April 24, 2009.
  18. ^ "More cases of swine flu reported; WHO warns of 'health emergency'". CNN.
  19. ^ "Q&A: Swine flu". BBC News.
  20. ^ "CDC: Swine flu viruses in U.S. and Mexico match". {{cite web}}: Text "publisher:CNN" ignored (help)
  21. ^ "Influenza-Like Illness in the United States and Mexico". World Health Organization.
  22. ^ "Reuters AlertNet - Swine flu death toll in Mexico rises to 103". Alertnet.org. Retrieved 2009-04-27.
  23. ^ Neergaard, Lauran (2009-04-26). "World govts race to contain swine flu outbreak". Associated Press. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
  24. ^ "AP Top News at 9:11 p.m. EDT". Associated Press. 2009-04-25. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
  25. ^ [Pide Ebrard parar 10 días vida nocturna "Estima SSA 10 dias de alerta por influenza"]. Reforma. 2009-04-25. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  26. ^ "Estima SSA 10 dias de alerta por influenza". El Universal. 2009-04-25.
  27. ^ "Mexico's Calderon Declares Emergency Amid Swine Flu Outbreak". Bloomberg. 2009-04-25.
  28. ^ "Se suspenden clases hasta el 6 de mayo" (in Spanish). Excélsior. 2009-04-25.
  29. ^ "Nuevo Leon schools to be closed down until May 6" (in Spanish). El Universal. 2009-04-26.
  30. ^ http://www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/noticia/430025.suspende-clases-coahuila.html
  31. ^ "Todo el páis sin clases por influenza" (in Spanish). El Universal. 2009-04-27.
  32. ^ [3]
  33. ^ [4]
  34. ^ "Restaurants loose 450 million pesos" (in Spanish). El Universal. 2009-04-27.
  35. ^ "Pork industry expect loses" (in Spanish). El Universal. 2009-04-27.
  36. ^ "Pachuca and Pumas lose 9 million pesos" (in Spanish). Medio Tiempo. 2009-04-27.
  37. ^ "Festivals canceled" (in Spanish). Tabasco Hoy. 2009-04-27.
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