April 30, 2009 Swine Flu (H1N1) Update: Mexico City slows way down

Taxi driver, Juan Victor Rodriguez, shows off his anti-flu gloves and mask.

Image: Aran Shetterly

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• Yesterday afternoon the WHO raised the threat level to 5 and saying that swine flu is approaching global pandemic status, level 6.
• Last night, President Felipe Calderon came on television to tell Mexicans to stay home until May 6, to cover their mouths when coughing, not to self medicate, but go to the doctor if the show symptoms, and to emphasize that the first cases were actually in the United States.
• The Mexican political parties are considering postponing the elections scheduled for July 5.
• El Universal is reporting that Mexico does not have the infrastructure to develop and produce a vaccine for swine flu. Thirty years ago, they say, the government dismantled the two institutes that were capable of work like this. Since 1999, the WHO has been pushing countries to prepare for epidemics.
• 13 people in Mexico City have been arrested for profiteering by illegally selling flu masks are meant to be free. They face sentences of up to 36 hours in prison.
• Google has released a new, experimental version of Google Flu Trends to help track H1N1 in Mexico.
• The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has now confirmed 109 cases in 11 US states.
• The New York Times reports the Fort Worth, Texas school district has closed schools possibly until May 12. And, that the US government is now working to produce a vaccine for the H1N1 flu.
• The Los Angeles Times reports that the pace of new cases seems to be slowing.
• Part-time residents and travelers to Mexico are emailing insidemex.com as they struggle to decide whether or not to keep their plans for coming to Mexico or not. We will interview some of these people and let you know how they are making their decisions and what decisions they ultimately make. You can read Catherine Dunn´s account of how the reality of the epidemic sunk in here.
• China has denied being the source of swine flu, contradicting the governor of Veracruz, Fidel Herrera. It seems to be important to both Mexico and China that they not be labeled as the points of origin of the flu.

Analysis:

Check back later for a report on the investigations that are leading researchers to Perote, Veracruz, the site of ¨patient zero¨ Édgar Hernández.