Swine flu still at top of agenda

BY OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ

Associated Press

CANCUN, Mexico - Swine flu is running wild in the Southern Hemisphere and is
spreading rapidly through Europe, with Britain projected to reach 100,000 daily
cases by the end of August. The virus is even showing signs of rebounding in
Mexico.

World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan and health
ministers from around the globe huddled Thursday in Cancun for a two-day summit
to design strategies for battling the pandemic. Nations attending include the
United States, Canada, China, Britain and Brazil.

"As we see today, with well over 100 countries reporting cases, once a fully fit
pandemic virus emerges, its further international spread is unstoppable," Chan
said during opening remarks.

Mexican officials wanted the meeting held in the Caribbean resort city of Cancun
- where tourism has plunged - to highlight the country's success in controlling
its epidemic with a five-day national shutdown of schools and businesses in May.

The measures were applauded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
international health officials.

"Our presence here is an expression of confidence," Chan said. "Mexico is a
safe, as well as a beautiful and warmly gracious, place to visit."

But Mexico is starting to see an increase in swine flu cases in isolated areas.
In southern Chiapas state and the state of Yucatan - adjacent to Quintana Roo
state, where Cancun is located - cases have jumped more than 50 percent in a
worrying sign that the country may see a resurgence, especially when its winter
flu season begins in November.

In the space of a week ending Tuesday, the number of cases in Yucatan state
jumped from 683 to 1,362, and in Chiapas from 492 to 1,079, Mexico's Health
Department said. During the same week, Quintana Roo reported 102 new cases.

Yucatan and Chiapas officials blamed the spike on outbreaks in schools, which
they closed a few weeks early for summer break.

"Unfortunately we let our guard down, especially after classes started, and the
outbreak is unstoppable," Yucatan Health Secretary Alvaro Quijano told local
news media.

Mexico has confirmed a total of 10,687 cases to date, including 119 deaths.

With the Southern Hemisphere in the midst of its winter flu season, Chan said
officials are keeping a close watch on those countries. U.S. Health Secretary
Kathleen Sibelius said the United States will give 420,000 Tamiflu treatments to
the Pan American Health Organization to be distributed in Latin America and the
Caribbean.

Chile's epidemic has followed closely behind outbreaks in Mexico and the United
States. Cases in the South American country have swelled to 7,342, including 15
deaths. The government has predicted it could see as many as 140 children
hospitalized a day.

Argentina, meanwhile, has 1,587 cases and now ranks first in South America with
26 deaths and third behind Mexico and the United States.

Under mounting public pressure, Argentina's government this week announced
schools would close nationwide Monday for an extended winter break.

Britain, which has officially reported 7,447 swine flu cases, is the hardest-hit
nation in Europe.

CDC MEXICO TELEPHONE NUMBERS (Live Support 24 hours, 7 days):

Mexico City: 551-454-0058
Cuernavaca: 777-176-1006
Mazatlan: 669-669-5927
Guadalajara: 331-086-0458
Monterrey: 818-881-1028