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Mexico says suspected swine flu deaths now at 149
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-04-28 10:48

Cordova said the community was suffering from ordinary influenza -- not swine flu. But only one sample was preserved -- that of the boy. It was only after US and Canadian epidemiologists discovered the true nature of the virus that Mexico submitted the sample for international testing, and discovered what he suffered from.

Mexico says suspected swine flu deaths now at 149

A man eats a taco of tortilla, a staple of Mexican cuisine, while wearing a facial mask to protect himself against the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico City April 27, 2009. [Agencies]

The boy has since recovered and Cordova said there have been no new cases detected in the town.

But epidemiologists want to take a closer look at pigs in Mexico as a potential source of the outbreak.

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Juan Lubroth, an animal health expert at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, said a team of veterinarians was flying to Mexico. They will examine what surveillance systems are in place to detect swine flu, and review historical data on previous viruses identified in the country. Farmers will be interviewed.

Lubroth said there have been no reports of sick or dying swine in Mexico, but warned that fears surrounding the outbreak could have a devastating effect on the pork industry.

"Although the virus is reported to have a swine origin, it may have been several years ago, and it's only now that it has shown up in humans as a clinical problem that is spreading," he said.

The Mexican government has yet to say where and how the epidemic began or give details on the victims.

Cordova said the health department lacked the staff to visit the homes of all those suspected to have died from the disease. But he assured that the country had enough medicine to treat the ill.

Meanwhile, Mexico suspended all schools nationwide until May 6, extending an order already in place in Mexico City and five of the country's 32 states, and urged people to stay home if they feel sick.

Labor Secretary Javier Lozano Alarcon said employers should isolate anyone showing up for work with fever, cough, sore throat or other symptoms. And the Mexico City government was considering shutting down all public transportation if the death toll keeps rising. Mayor Marcelo Ebrard said surgical masks were being distributed at subway and bus stops across the city.

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