MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s health secretary said the swine flu epidemic in his country “is now in its declining phase,” even as the US and five other countries in Europe and Latin America reported new cases yesterday. The World Health Organization (WHO) urged increased flu surveillance in both humans and animals now that the H1N1 virus strain has infected pigs in Canada.
China quarantined more than 70 Mexican travelers and Hong Kong isolated 350 people in a hotel as a precaution even though no new swine flu infections appeared in Asia.
Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa called the action “unjustified” and warned Mexicans against visiting China. Ambassador Jorge Guajardo was refused access to 10 people held at Beijing Guomen Hotel.
“We are objecting to the fact that they are holding Mexicans in isolation for fear that they might have the flu virus, even though they have no signs of having the flu virus,” Guajardo told reporters. Guajardo engaged in a brief standoff with a Chinese official at the hotel, who initially blocked access, but later let in the ambassador without allowing him to see the group.
The death toll in Mexico remained at 19 and Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova said “evolution of the epidemic is now in its declining phase.” The global caseload was nearing 800 and growing — the vast majority in Mexico, the US and Canada. Colombia yesterday reported South America’s first confirmed case of swine flu a day after Costa Rica reported the first in Central America.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports began screening passengers using thermal imaging cameras as a precaution against the flu. Elsewhere in the Gulf, Qatar Airways said it has made mandatory for all onboard aircraft crew to wear masks on flights originating in the United States. Passengers on flights between the US and Doha are also being given masks. A WHO expert said any outbreaks of the new swine flu virus in pigs must be contained and monitored because of the risk of further spread in humans. “We believe this is something that is necessary to understand better if animals are infected and, if they are, to both protect humans and further spread among the pig population,” said food safety scientist Peter Ben Embarek.
