Mexicanos en USA

Security in Mexico - Raising the stakes - The Economist

2011-08-27T13:57:00.000-07:00

A very interesting analysis of why this time it's different...

Foto - AP

A CASINO in the troubled northern city of Monterrey was set alight yesterday afternoon, in an attack that officials say killed 40 people. (Latest figure is 53) Some reports said that armed men had burst in and doused the Casino Royale with flammable liquid. Others said the men had thrown grenades...

Some 40,000 people have been killed so far in Mexico’s heightened drug war, which is nearing five years old. In spite of the violence, Mexico’s economy has been doing reasonably well. Though the border with the United States has seen the worst of the fighting, trade between the two countries is at an all-time high. Crucial to keeping the investment and visitors flowing is the fact that the violence has been highly concentrated—most of the murders taking place in a handful of municipalities—and that most of the victims, we are told (without hard evidence, mind you) are people who are themselves involved in organised crime.

That is why yesterday’s casino attack presents three worries. Firstly, it did not take place in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night: the Casino Royale is on one of Monterrey’s main highways, close to the centre, with several well-known hotel chains within a few blocks.

But if public buildings are being torched or shot up, as a city-centre bar was last month in Monterrey, the jitters will quickly, and rightly, spread.

Read the complete article in The Economist.
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Mexico - Violencia afecta inversion en obras

2011-08-27T13:55:00.000-07:00

Violencia afecta inversión en construcción, dice Cámara Mexicana de la Industria de la Construcción

Tamaulipas, Coahuila, NL, Chihuahua, y Guerrero los más perjudicados.

Sábado 27 de agosto de 2011
Noé Cruz Serrano Enviado | El Universal

noe.cruz@eluniversal.com.mx

QUERÉTARO, Qro.— El presidente de la Cámara Mexicana de la Industria de la Construcción (CMIC), Eduardo Co-rrea Abreu, alertó sobre el problema de la inseguridad en México y dijo que el fenómeno afecta la decisión de los empresarios del ramo sobre invertir en zonas conflictivas, como el norte del país, para emigrar a entidades que ofrecen mayor seguridad a empresas y trabajadores.

Aseguró que en ciudades, que tradicionalmente eran polos de desarrollo como Nuevo León, algunas constructoras están dejando de operar.

En los últimos tres años por ejemplo, el padrón de constructores en esa entidad se redujo de 680 a 480.

En localidades como Ciudad Juárez, las empresas de la construcción registradas pasaron de 220 a 18.

... el caso de Tamaulipas es atípico. “Ahí los industriales de la construcción siguen trabajando, pero tienen que pagar un costo”.

“El crimen en esa entidad no cobra derecho de piso, pero si de peaje, es decir, cobra a ingenieros y trabajadores para que se trasladen a las obras. Los costos van de 250 pesos hasta mil 500 pesos a la semana por persona y si amanecen de mal humor el costo sube a 2 mil o 3 mil pesos”, añadió.

Articulo completo en EL UNIVERSAL
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Entender y combatir el terrorismo - Columna de M. Meschoulam

2011-08-27T13:45:00.000-07:00

Esta columna, aunque escrita en julio del 2010 toca varios puntos que siguen siendo validos despues de la masacre en Monterrey.

“Sigo teniendo miedo”, dijo Belem Zavala, una víctima de la explosión de aquella granada en el zócalo de Morelia, a un año del evento. Esa tarde habíamos comenzado a preguntarnos si es que el terrorismo había ya llegado a estas tierras.

La preocupación tanto en el 2008 como en este 2010, se origina por el shock tras lo inesperado, lo desconocido. Y es que no podemos equiparar de manera inmediata lo que ocurre en México con lo que ha ocurrido desde hace décadas en otros sitios. Vivimos una ola de atentados terroristas, sin duda, pero de particularidades específicas. Comprender el fenómeno es el primer paso para combatirlo, pero es necesario identificar similitudes y diferencias con lo sucedido en otros lugares.

El terrorismo busca menos víctimas mortales que psicológicas. Su objetivo es propagar miedo y pánico entre la población, para que, así atemorizada, pueda incidir en un cambio de comportamiento o de estrategias de las autoridades.

Lee la columna completa:
Entender y combatir el terrorismo
Columna de M. Meschoulam
El Universal - MEXICO

Reacciones al ataque en Monterrey - Univision 14 - San Francisco

2011-08-27T09:13:00.000-07:00

Las noticias desde MEXICO

2011-08-27T00:53:00.001-07:00

Regiomontanos en la Bahía consternados por atentado a casino en Monterrey.

2011-08-26T22:19:00.000-07:00

Regiomontanos en la Bahía consternados por atendado al Casino Royale.

Inmigrantes de Monterrey en la Bahía mostraron consternación y frustración por lo que llamaron actos de terrorismo. Entrevista en Univision 14 en San Francisco

Monterrey de luto

2011-08-26T13:15:00.000-07:00

De nuevo...

Deadly casino attack shocks Mexicans - ABC news

2011-08-26T12:32:00.000-07:00

Article by the AP as published in the ABC News website

KATHERINE CORCORAN Associated Press
MONTERREY, Mexico August 26, 2011 (AP)

Mexicans have endured plenty of horrific crimes during their country's bloody five-year war against drug gangs, but an arson attack that killed at least 52 people has set a shocking new low for many in this battle-hardened country.

The victims this time weren't cartel foot soldiers or even migrants resisting forced recruitment by gangs, as were the cases in other attacks. Instead, they were working or gambling at the Casino Royale in an affluent part of this industrial city Thursday when at least eight assailants burst into the building and set it on fire, trapping dozens inside.

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Complete article in ABC News - video included
Articulo completo en ABC News - incluye video
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Al menos 52 muertos en el ataque a un casino en Monterrey - EL PAIS

2011-08-26T11:50:00.000-07:00

Foto - AP

Excelente articulo en El Pais de España narrando a detalle el acto de terror ocurrido en Monterrey.

El ataque en contra de un local de apuestas en Monterrey ha dejado hasta el momento 52 personas fallecidas, según ha informado esta mañana (hora mexicana) Rodrigo Medina, gobernador del estado de Nuevo León (noreste del país). En una rueda de prensa, Medina ha presentado un vídeo que aporta pistas sobre cómo ocurrió el atentado en contra del Casino Royale, que por el número de víctimas mortales es el mayor ataque de los criminales en contra de población civil en la historia reciente de este país.

Tras el ataque se propagó un incendio que consumió el local durante al menos tres horas. Cuando el fuego fue controlado por los bomberos y tras derrumbar varios muros, los cuerpos de rescate encontraron decenas de personas que fallecieron, sobre todo por intoxicación. El comandante Ángel Flores, jefe de servicios médicos de la Cruz Verde, ha informado a este periódico que al menos una decena de cuerpos fue encontrada en los baños.

"Con profunda consternación expreso mi solidaridad con Nuevo León y con las víctimas de este aberrante acto de terror y de barbarie", ha publicado el presidente Felipe Calderón

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Articulo completo en EL PAIS
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Video captado de una camara de seguridad
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Noticias desde Monterrey

2011-06-15T22:16:00.000-07:00

Oda a Cd. Juarez. - "EL MAR SECO" - Por SHIVA

2011-03-03T21:38:00.000-08:00

"No es lo mismo ser juarense y encontrarte con mas juarenses, pues pareciera que los juarenses fuéramos cómplices de un mismo crimen, o bien refugiados de una misma guerra; el crimen de ser juarense en la cruzada contra Ciudad Juárez. Nuestro propio Sodoma y Gomorra. Nuestra capital del pecado.

...tal vez el día de mañana sea menos doloroso, que tal vez vengan días menos miserables y quizá tal vez también en un futuro no muy lejano podamos recuperar lo que Ciudad Juárez algún día fué"

LEE EL ARTICULO COMPLETO

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President Calderón visits Obama

2011-03-03T19:45:00.000-08:00

At a joint news conference at the White House with Mr. Calderón, Mr. Obama said Mexico had shown “extraordinary courage,” in its stand against a wave of crime and violence that has left tens of thousands of Mexicans dead since 2006, threatening the stability of a country whose democracy is barely a decade old.

And he pledged that the United States, which provides a market for the illegal drugs, would do more to help.

“We are very mindful that the battle President Calderón is fighting in Mexico is not just his,” Mr. Obama said. “It’s also ours. We have to take responsibility, just as he’s taking responsibility.”

Read complete article in the NY Times.

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Agreement allowing Mexican trucks to operate in the United States

2011-03-03T19:40:00.000-08:00

Reached at a summit in Washington, the agreement allowing Mexican trucks to operate in the United States was cheered by business leaders who say the dispute hurt trade. But union leaders and many Democrats fear that a free flow of trucks from Mexico will come at the expense of the U.S. trucking industry and the jobs it provides.

The agreement comes at a sensitive moment between the neighbors. Calderon has complained in recent weeks that U.S. efforts in the joint fight against Mexican drug cartels have failed to curb the American demand for drugs or stem the flow of weapons into Mexico.

The Mexican leader, who launched a bloody war against the cartels four years ago that has seen thousands of Mexicans killed, also has expressed his irritation over the December leak of secret diplomatic cables. In the cables, U.S. officials expressed frustration with a "risk averse" Mexican army they believe has impeded the fight against the cartels.

Read Complete article in the LA Times.

Mexico's GDP grows in 2010 at fastest pace in a decade

2011-03-03T18:52:00.000-08:00

Mexico's gross domestic product expanded last year at the fastest pace in a decade as Latin America's second-biggest economy recovered from a 2009 recession provoked by the global financial crisis.

GDP, the broadest measure of a country's output of goods and services, grew 5.5% last year, the most since 2000.

Mexican Finance Minister Ernesto Cordero said Monday that while export growth was the main driver of the economy last year, domestic demand is expected to play an equally important role this year.

"It's much more balanced growth with a much more dynamic domestic sector," Cordero said.

Read complete article in the LA Times.

Happy Holidays - Felices Fiestas

2009-12-22T21:00:00.001-08:00

Influenza - Swine flu - Map of confirmed cases - May 10 2009

2009-05-10T15:35:00.001-07:00

CONFIRMED CASES - WORLD

CONFIRMED CASES - USA

As of today, the USA is the country with more laboratory confirmed cases.

Article - Reuters
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Article - Reuters : 4,379 people infected with H1N1 flu in 29 countries
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Updated map in the BBC website.
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US reports third swine flu death

2009-05-10T14:41:00.000-07:00

The US has reported its third death from swine flu, as Costa Rica confirmed a fatality and three more countries found cases of the virus.

A man with a heart condition who died in the US state of Washington was found to have the virus, officials said.

A 53-year-old man became Costa Rica's first fatality from the flu.

On Saturday Australia, Norway and Japan all confirmed cases of the virus, which emerged in Mexico last month and has killed 48 people there.

Those who have died outside Mexico - three in the US, one in Canada and one in Costa Rica - are reported to have suffered from underlying ailments.

Article - BBC news

Influenza - Swine Flu - Mexico City - Frustrated with nothing to do

2009-05-02T21:39:00.000-07:00

The traditionally crowded May 1 Labor Day parade was canceled, despite protests. The baseball and soccer seasons continue, but games are being played in stadiums that are empty by government decree. And with the Sabbath looming, not only are religious leaders calling off public worship services, but weddings, confirmations, pilgrimages and retreats are also being postponed.

All across Mexico, the flu epidemic that has stricken more than 450 people and killed at least 19 is altering the texture of daily life in big and small ways. Barely a week after the government here announced the first measures to contain the spread of the virus, this country of about 111 million people is in lockdown and will remain that way through at least May 5.

Over all, however, lawbreakers seem as intimidated by the epidemic as everyone else: according to police figures, the crime rate here has dropped more than 40 percent since the emergency began.

The most frustrated group, however, may very well be the parents of young children. The country’s estimated 33.8 million students and their 1.1 million teachers have been out of class since early last week, and schools here in the capital area have been shut down since April 24. Many parents have been forced to keep their children at home, away from outdoor playgrounds and parks, and already an outbreak of cabin fever can be detected among both adults and children.

Full article - NY Times

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Influenza - Swine Flu - Flu virus can be transmitted in money bills

2009-05-02T20:55:00.000-07:00

Articulo en SmartMoney.com alerta...El virus puede sobrevivir en billetes por 10 o mas dias....

Catching Flu From Money

The influenza virus can survive on paper money for 10 or more days — suggesting that when we shop, spend and bank, there’s more than cash that is changing hands.

The link between flu virus and paper currency is explained this week in a story on SmartMoney.com. The findings don’t mean we should fret about handling currency — but it does illustrate why health officials repeatedly tell people to wash hands frequently. From the SmartMoney report:

Generally speaking, scientists interviewed by SmartMoney estimate the lifetime of a plain flu virus deposited on money at an hour or so. But mix in some human nasal mucus, and the potential for the virus to hang on long enough to find a victim increases, according to one of the few scientific studies done on flu transmission through cash.

In a study conducted at Switzerland’s Central Laboratory of Virology at the University Hospitals of Geneva, researchers tested to see what would happen when flu virus was placed on Swiss franc notes.

Full Article - NY Times - Well blog

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Influenza - Swine Flu - Epidemia requiere vigilancia y preparativos, afirma Obama

2009-05-02T20:31:00.000-07:00

El presidente Barack Obama dijo el sábado que Estados Unidos está tomando "todas las precauciones necesarias" por si la gripe porcina se convierte en "algo peor", y habló con el mandatario mexicano Felipe Calderón sobre la forma de evitar que se propague esta cepa patógena.

La gripe porcina, o influenza H1N1, como la denomina la Organización Mundial de la Salud, ha causado apenas una muerte en Estados Unidos, la de un niño de menos de dos años de edad que había llegado de México con su familia, pero algunos expertos consideran que podría empeorar, afirmó Obama en su discurso semanal por radio y por la internet.

Obama y Calderón hablaron el sábado durante unos 20 minutos, "para compartir información sobre los esfuerzos de cada país para limitar la propagación de la cepa de la gripe H1N1 del 2009, y sobre la importancia de una estrecha cooperación entre Estados Unidos y México", informó la Casa Blanca.

Un funcionario de la Casa Blanca dijo que Calderón había solicitado la conversación, principalmente para cerciorarse de que continuaría la cooperación entre las dos naciones a fin combatir el virus. La conversación fue amigable y productiva, dijo el funcionario, quien solicitó permanecer anónimo porque la Casa Blanca no había autorizado la divulgación de más detalles.

La gripe porcina se ha reportado ahora en 23 estados en los USA, en vez de 11. Algunos estados reportaron números ligeramente superiores y el Distrito de Columbia informó sobre sus primeros dos posibles casos. El número de muertes se mantiene en una persona, un bebé mexicano que visitó Texas con su familia y murió ahí.

El Departamento de Salud informó que 433 escuelas han cerrado, afectando a 245.000 niños en 17 estados. La cifra representó 100 escuelas más que las reportadas el jueves.

Articulo - Milenio

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Influenza - Swine Flu - Major U.S. airlines cut Mexico service

2009-05-02T20:29:00.000-07:00

I hope people in Mexico (Or people who care about Mexico) remember this the next time they have to buy a plane ticket...

"Major U.S. airlines including Delta Air Lines, U.S. Airways, Continental Airlines & United Airlines said they were cutting services to Mexico on Friday, citing lower demand for flights to the country.

Delta, the world's biggest airline, still offers services to all of its 11 destinations to Mexico, spokeswoman Betsy Talton said in an emailed statement.

But the Atlanta-based carrier was making "some adjustments to flight frequencies and the type of aircraft flown on certain routes to reduce capacity and ensure it is appropriately matched to demand," the statement added.

Earlier on Friday, Continental and United announced reductions effective Monday in their service to Mexico, which has reported up to 101 deaths from the new strain of Influenza A (H1N1), originally called swine flu. "

GLOBAL CARRIERS

The U.S. carriers join some global airlines that have reduced links to the country. Air Canada has said it was temporarily suspending operations to popular resorts such as Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, and Spain's Air Europa said it would cut charter flights.

Germany's Deutsche Lufthansa AG announced contingency plans to cut flights and drop routes amid the crisis, and said it would place doctors on its planes to Mexico in hopes of detecting any flu infections early.

Article - The Washington Post.

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Influenza - Swine Flu - Mexico - 473 casos positivos confirmados - 19 muertes confirmadas

2009-05-02T20:18:00.000-07:00

El secretario de Salud federal, José Ángel Córdova, confirmó que hasta el momento se mantienen 473 casos positivos de influenza humana de las 1303 pruebas que se han procesado.

Informó que de los casos confirmados se han registrado 19 decesos, de los cuales 14 son mujeres y 5 hombres.

...y no los cientos de muertos que se rumoran o que han salido en los medios de comunicacion.

Articulo - Milenio

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Influenza - Swine Flu - Japón dona 14 millones de pesos para tratar epidemia

2009-05-02T20:15:00.000-07:00

El gobierno de Japón donó recursos a México por 100 millones de yenes —equivalentes a 14 millones de pesos—, con los que se adquirirá equipo médico y de protección, así como 20 cámaras para medir la temperatura corporal.

El primer cargamento llegará en las próximas horas para ser distribuido cuanto antes en diversos hospitales del país.

De acuerdo con el Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Japón, el gobierno “ha decidido prestar ayuda de emergencia en insumos por un valor de 21 millones de yenes —casi tres millones de pesos— en respuesta a una solicitud del gobierno de México”, para hacer frente a la epidemia de influenza A.

La dependencia nipona detalló que llegará a México una remesa de equipos e insumos, que incluye 190 mil máscaras o cubrebocas; tres mil pares de lentes; tres mil equipos de ropa quirúrgica desechable e igual número de guantes desechables para uso médico.

Incluye 20 cámaras para medir la temperatura del cuerpo a distancia.

Articulo - El Universal

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Influenza - Swine Flu - A balancing act in the US

2009-05-02T20:13:00.000-07:00

La influenza regresará en invierno.

Prevén un rebote letal. La experiencia mundial indica que el rebote (fase posterior al surgimiento y a la aparente estabilización de un virus) es más letal y, en la actual epidemia, se espera que ocurra en noviembre y diciembre en el Hemisferio Norte.

Los casos podrian ser mas graves en el Hemisferio Sur ya que el Invierno se avecina.

VIDEO - El Universal.

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Influenza - Swine Flu - Embajador español lamenta que culpen a México del virus

2009-05-02T19:41:00.000-07:00

Carmelo Angulo Barturen, embajador de España en México, lamentó que se pretenda culpar a los mexicanos como causantes de la epidemia del virus de influenza AH1N1, pues aún se está lejos de saber su origen.

Al hacer entrega de equipo sanitario donado por el gobierno español, el diplomático se refirió así a la ola de rechazo y discriminación que se ha generado contra los mexicanos ante el problema sanitario que se vive en el país, por lo que recordó que "este es un tema de solidaridad y cooperación internacional".

De hecho, el diplomático felicitó a México "porque fue el primer país que quizá tomó las medidas -que aunque inicialmente parecieron drásticas-, que posiblemente están permitiendo, ojalá se pueda confirmar, una ligera reducción de las personas afectadas y de fallecimientos".

Articulo en - El Universal.

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Influenza - Swine Flu - A balancing act in the US

2009-05-02T18:39:00.000-07:00

Around the nation, drugstores have sold out of surgical masks. Schools have closed, sports games have been called off, and doctors’ offices — and their phone lines — are jammed. The truly anxious confess that they are trying to avoid touching elevator buttons, library books and the knobs on bathroom sinks.

As the number of confirmed swine flu cases in this country continued to rise to over 100 on Thursday, precautions over the illness — many of which appeared to be overreactions — were beginning to affect the daily lives of tens of thousands of people, even in states where the flu has yet to be found.

In interviews from Boston to San Francisco, some people said they faced a troubling, often internal balancing act over an illness no one seems to know much about: How, given alarming expressions like “imminent pandemic,” to keep their families safe (Should we cancel that playdate?) without succumbing to measures that might only breed more fear (What would people think if we actually wore face masks?).

Full article - NY Times

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Influenza - Swine flu - Cartoons

2009-05-01T09:42:00.000-07:00

Designer flu masks - By David Fitzsimmons - The Arizona Star

Swine flu - By Emad Hajjaj - Jordan

4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse -By Frederick Deligne - Nice-Matin, France

Swine Flu By Nerilicon

Lethal weapon - By Dario Castillejos - Dario La Crisis

Swine flu hygiene By Steve Greenberg - Freelance, Los Angeles

A good cartoon about living in Mexico City

2009-05-01T09:39:00.001-07:00

Influenza - Swine flu - Map of confirmed cases - April 30 2009

2009-04-30T07:36:00.000-07:00

Map in the BBC website .

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Influenza - La OMS alerta de que la pandemia de gripe porcina es inminente

2009-04-30T07:21:00.000-07:00

Con el nivel 5 se entra en una fase en que hay que declarar una "pandemia evidente", según los protocolos de la OMS. Aunque esto no está tan claro. "El virus es impredecible. Ojalá siga siendo leve. Puede morir y parase. Es lo mejor que nos podría ocurrir", dijo Chan.

La máxima encargada de la salud mundial también se refirió a los fabricantes de vacunas y de medicamentos, a los que pedirá un esfuerzo para que aumenten su capacidad de producción. Anunció que pediría ayuda a los países donantes y al Banco Mundial, para que ayuden a financiar los nuevos desarrollos. Y, todo ello, sin dejar la producción actual de vacunas. "Ahora empieza el invierno o en el hemisferio sur", advirtió Chan, en alusión a que los países meridionales están a punto de empezar la temporada de la llamada gripe estacional (la que se produce todos los años en invierno).

La directora de la OMS también mencionó la supuesta levedad del actual virus. "Hemos visto en otros casos que el virus empieza con una epidemia leve y evoluciona a una grave"

Articulo - El Pais.

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Influenza - Swine flu - Scientists see this flu strain as relatively mild

2009-04-30T07:20:00.000-07:00

As the World Health Organization raised its infectious disease alert level Wednesday and health officials confirmed the first death linked to swine flu inside U.S. borders, scientists studying the virus are coming to the consensus that this hybrid strain of influenza -- at least in its current form -- isn't shaping up to be as fatal as the strains that caused some previous pandemics.

In fact, the current outbreak of the H1N1 virus, which emerged in San Diego and southern Mexico late last month, may not even do as much damage as the run-of-the-mill flu outbreaks that occur each winter without much fanfare.

"Let's not lose track of the fact that the normal seasonal influenza is a huge public health problem that kills tens of thousands of people in the U.S. alone and hundreds of thousands around the world," said Dr. Christopher Olsen, a molecular virologist.

Article - LA Times

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Influenza - Swine flu - Mexico "cierra" del 1o. al 5 de mayo

2009-04-30T07:16:00.001-07:00

El gobierno federal convocó a suspender las actividades económicas “no esenciales” de los sectores público y privado del 1 al 5 de mayo con el fin de reforzar las medidas de prevención ante la epidemia de influenza porcina, luego de que la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) elevó la alerta del nivel 4 al 5, en una escala de 6, lo que significa una “inminente pandemia”.

El secretario de Salud, José Ángel Córdova, consideró que en México “la situación sigue siendo seria”.

Precisó que se mantendrán abiertos los mercados, supermercados, transportes, farmacias, servicios financieros, telecomunicaciones gasolineras, recolección de basura, hoteles y restaurantes “que no provoquen aglomeraciones”

El gobierno pidió que los estados hicieran lo mismo en sus administraciones locales.

Anoche, en un mensaje en cadena nacional, el presidente Felipe Calderón llamó a permanecer en casa, “el lugar más seguro”, en la actual coyuntura.

Articulo - El Universal - con video del mensaje del Presidente Calderon

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Influenza - Swine flu - Joe Biden: "Closing the border with Mexico is not an effective means of combating the spread"

2009-04-30T07:16:00.000-07:00

Vice President Joe Biden, calling the closing of the Mexican border "a monumental undertaking" and not an effective means of combating the spread of swine flu, offered his own prescription today: Stay off airplanes and subway trains.

And the White House stood by Biden's advice today.

"I would tell members of my family, and I have, 'I wouldn't go anywhere in confined places now,' " Biden said in an interview this morning on NBC's "Today."

"It's not that it's going to Mexico. . . . It's that you're in a confined aircraft, where one person sneezes, it goes all the way through the aircraft," Biden said, asked about the wisdom of traveling to Mexico. "I would not be at this point, if they had another way of transportation, suggesting they ride the subway. . . .

"If you're out in the middle of a field and someone sneezes, that's one thing," the vice president said on "Today." "If you're in a closed aircraft, or closed container or closed car or closed classroom, that's another thing."

The White House was quick with an explanation this morning, Biden spokeswoman Elizabeth Alexander issuing this statement: "The vice president was asked what he would tell a family member who was considering air travel to Mexico this week. The advice he is giving family members is the same advice the administration is giving to all Americans: that they should avoid unnecessary air travel to and from Mexico.

"If they are sick, they should avoid airplanes and other confined public spaces, such as subways," she said. "This is the advice the vice president has given family members who are traveling by commercial airline this week."

Article - LA Times

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Influenza - Swine flu - Mexico Limits Public Services as Flu Alerts Are Increased

2009-04-30T07:03:00.000-07:00

As the swine flu virus appeared in new locations as far apart as Peru and Switzerland on Thursday, Mexicans braced for a national shutdown of offices, restaurants, schools and even the stands of soccer stadiums in an attempt to slow the spread of the disease.

In nationally televised speech Wednesday night, Mexican President Felipe Calderón said that, as of Friday, many public services would be closed through Tuesday, encompassing a long holiday weekend. Most government offices and many private businesses will be ordered closed, restaurants, schools and museums will remain shuttered, and spectators will be barred from all professional soccer matches.

Churches are expected to be nearly empty on Sunday.

Influenza - Swine flu - Obama news conference - Will USA close the border with Mexico?

2009-04-29T17:09:00.000-07:00

The very 1st question on the Obama press conference asked if the USA will close the border with Mexico?

Obama: The appropriate response will be based on science. People have to take this flu as any other flu in terms of actions and prevention. We will monitor the situation, but at this moment it would be as if we close the barn door after the horses left. USA already has cases inside the borders.

We have to be careful since this is a new strain. Schools might need to be closed if cases are discovered, and business and parents should plan ahead.

Influenza - La OMS alerta de que la pandemia de gripe porcina es inminente y eleva a 5 el nivel de alerta

2009-04-29T13:36:00.000-07:00

La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) ha decidido este miércoles elevar a 5 el nivel de alerta por pandemia de gripe porcina -el máximo es 6-, según anunció la directora general del organismo, Margaret Chan. La fase 5 implica que el virus se ha expandido en al menos dos países de una misma región, lo que implica una señal contundente de que la pandemia es inminente.

En una conferencia de prensa anterior, el secretario general adjunto de la OMS, Keiji Fukuda, aseguró que que, aunque el A/H1N1 se trata de un nuevo virus porcino, "se está convirtiendo en un virus de gripe humana. No hay evidencias de que nadie se haya contagiado de cerdos". De acuerdo con los datos de la OMS, hay 114 casos de gripe porcina confirmados oficialmente por laboratorios:

64 en Estados Unidos
26 en México
13 en Canadá
2 en Israel
4 en España
2 en Reino Unido

y 3 en Nueva Zelanda. De ellos, hay siete fallecimientos en México y uno en EE UU, el niño de 23 meses anteriormente citado, según la organización.

Articulo en El Pais

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Influenza - Swine flu - Media responses in Mexico and USA

2009-04-29T13:22:00.000-07:00

Dana Milbank, WASHINGTON POST

"Despite years of warnings about a pandemic, vaccines are still grown in eggs, the way they were in the 19th Century. There aren't enough manufacturing facilities for vaccines or hospital beds for the sick or plans to keep services running while millions are dying."

Mary Schmich, CHICAGO TRIBUNE

"So far, fear is spreading faster than the swine flu. But, for varied reasons, this flu seems spookier than the ordinary 'seasonal' flu, whose related causes, federal officials say, kill 36,000 Americans a year.

EL UNIVERSAL

"What is clear is that without the help of foreign specialists, there is not much point in having millions of hospital beds, masks and medicines. We will depend on US or European experts to study our sick people, to develop a vaccine and to mass-produce it.

"We are incapable of dealing with this crisis ourselves, not because of a lack of leadership or determination, but because we've failed for decades to invest in universities, laboratories and scientists. Let's learn the lesson."

LA JORNADA

"The authorities cannot be blamed for adopting measures to prevent and contain the epidemic ... but they can be reproached for their total inability to grasp and understand the worsening severity of the economic emergency we are living through now and which will continue once the health emergency is over."

Joaquin Lopez-Doriga, MILENIO

"Mexico is today hostage of a flu epidemic caused by a lethal swine virus, and at the same time the victim of what is becoming a global isolation that sees us as the source of all past, present and future contagion.

More reactions - BBC News.

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Influenza - Swine flu - Map of confirmed cases - April 29 2009

2009-04-29T13:17:00.000-07:00

Click for the updated map. - BBC News.

Influenza - swine flu - Reactions in the San Francisco Bay Area

2009-04-29T13:07:00.000-07:00

I've heard a few stories already about Marin households canceling appointments with their gardeners/handymen/contractors/nannies/painters/etc. With full apologies, of course, and assurances that naturally! it has nothing whatsoever to do with country of origin.

The 2004 film, "A Day Without a Mexican", makes the point better than I could that some sumptuous local lifestyles would be left in the untended weeds if it weren't for Mexican workers. But as we saw from about 50 old "Twilight Zone" episodes, "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and other frightened mob psychology movies, even staunch political correctness gets tossed out the window when you're facing scary unknowns like an invisible infection that gets passed through the air.

Reactions in the San Francisco Bay Area - SF Chronicle

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The Naming of Swine Flu, a Curious Matter - NY Times

2009-04-29T13:03:00.000-07:00

HONG KONG — What to call the new strain of flu raising alarms around the world has taken on political, economic and diplomatic overtones.

Pork producers question whether the term "swine flu" is appropriate, given that the new virus has not yet been isolated in samples taken from pigs in Mexico or elsewhere. While the new virus seems to be most heavily composed of genetic sequences from swine influenza virus material, it also has human and avian influenza genetic sequences as well, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

Government officials in Thailand, one of the world’s largest meat exporters, have started referring to the disease as “Mexican flu.” An Israeli deputy health minister — an ultra-Orthodox Jew — said his country would do the same, to keep Jews from having to say the word “swine.” However, his call seemed to have been largely ignored.

Janet Napolitano, the secretary for homeland security, and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack went out of their way at a press conference in Washington on Tuesday to refer to the virus by its scientific name, as the "H1N1 virus."

Article - NY Times

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Influenza - ROCHE fabricante del antiviral Tamiflu cree que se puede afrontar la pandemia

2009-04-29T13:02:00.000-07:00

La compañía suiza Roche, fabricante del antiviral Tamiflu (oseltamivir) , afirmó hoy que el mundo está mejor preparado que nunca antes para afrontar una eventual pandemia de gripe, ante el severo brote de gripe porcina en México y su llegada confirmada a Estados Unidos, Canadá, Europa y Oceanía.

El Tamiflu es uno de los dos medicamentos que la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) ha reconocido como eficaces para el tratamiento del nuevo virus gripal.

Anteriormente, fue utilizado para tratar los brotes de gripe aviar y numerosos gobiernos se aprovisionaron del antiviral por el temor a una pandemia.

Articulo - El Universal

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Mexico’s Peso, Stocks Rise on Bets Flu Effects Will Be Limited

2009-04-29T13:01:00.000-07:00

Mexico’s peso, bonds and stocks rallied on speculation the government’s efforts to contain the swine flu will prevent a deeper slowdown in Latin America’s second-largest economy.

“There is a perception that the outbreak may be resolved faster than what people earlier thought,” said Eduardo Estrada, head of the fixed-income trading desk in Mexico City at Actinver SA, the country’s biggest independent money manager.

The peso gained 1.5 percent to 13.6113 per U.S. dollar at 1:18 p.m. New York time, compared with 13.8196 yesterday. It has risen 3.2 percent since April 27, the best performance among the six most-traded Latin American currencies.

Mexican Health Minister Jose Cordova yesterday revised down the number of confirmed deaths from the swine flu outbreak to seven from 20 and said hospitalizations from flu related illnesses have declined. Mexico’s federal government has canceled classes throughout the nation through May 6 and has urged people to avoid places where large crowds gather.

The Bolsa index jumped 2.8 percent to 22,263.90, its first advance this week. Mexico’s homebuilders and retailers rallied on the prospect the central bank may deepen cuts in interest rates to boost consumer spending.

Article - Bloomberg

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Influenza - EU confirma 91 enfermos en 10 estados

2009-04-29T11:37:00.000-07:00

El virus de la gripe porcina sigue propagándose con fuerza en EU, donde ya hay un muerto y 91 enfermos confirmados en 10 estados del país, informó hoy el responsable del Centro de Control de Enfermedades, Richard Besser.

Hasta ayer se había confirmado oficialmente la existencia de 64 casos en cinco estados. Ahora mismo, la enfermedad ya está presente en diez estados, aunque con mayor virulencia en Nueva York, con 51 casos, Texas, con 16, y California, con 14.

Por el momento, solo se ha registrado la muerte de una persona en EU, un niño mexicano que estaba visitando a sus familiares en Texas cuando cayó enfermo, y que murió tras ser ingresado en un hospital de Houston, según explicaron hoy las autoridades texanas.

Articulo en El Universal

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OMS confirma 114 casos de influenza en el mundo

2009-04-29T11:36:00.000-07:00

Informa el órgano que los infectados se encuentran en siete países, siendo Estados Unidos el que mayor número registra con un total de 64.

La Organización Mundial de la Salud tiene confirmados con pruebas de laboratorio 114 casos de influenza porcina en siete países del mundo siendo Estados Unidos el que mayor número registra con 64 casos, y en este momento se está realizando una reunión virtual mundial con científicos que analizan la situación, informó Keiji Fokuda, director general adjunto para seguridad sanitaria de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS).

En conferencia de prensa desde Ginebra, Fokuda precisó que son 64 casos en Estados Unidos, 26 en México, 13 en Canadá registrando siete nuevos, dos en Israel, cuatro en España, dos en el Reino Unido, y dos en Nueva Zelanda.

Articulo en El Universal
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As Flu Hits the USA, Local Health agencies lack funds due to the economy

2009-04-29T11:29:00.000-07:00

The recession has drained hundreds of millions of dollars and thousands of workers from the state and local health departments that are now the front line in the country’s defense against a possible swine flu pandemic.

Health officials in affected states said they had thus far been able to manage the testing and treatment of infected residents and mount vigorous public education campaigns. But many said they had been able to do so only by shifting workers from other public health priorities, and some questioned how their depleted departments might handle a full-fledged pandemic.

“I’m very concerned,” said Robert M. Pestronk, executive director of the National Association of County and City Health Officials.

Full article - NY Times

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Influenza -Lo que Mexico no responde - El Pais

2009-04-29T11:22:00.000-07:00

Las muertes decaen y las dudas crecen. Lo primero calma, pero lo segundo, inquieta. El jefe del Gobierno de la ciudad de México, Marcelo Ebrard, dijo ayer que en las últimas horas el número de fallecimientos y de contagios en el Distrito Federal —principal foco del virus de la gripe— está cayendo de forma lenta, pero sostenida. Sin embargo, hay una pregunta que ninguna autoridad ha respondido aún con solvencia: ¿por qué sigue muriendo gente en México?

Hasta el momento sólo se sabe que los fallecidos tenían entre 20 y 50 años

Según los expertos, el virus no es mortal si el enfermo acude al hospital nada más sentir los síntomas —fiebre alta, dolor de cabeza, congestión nasal, cansancio general—. Los médicos disponen entonces de un plazo de 24 a 48 horas para diagnosticar la enfermedad y para tratar al paciente con un fármaco antiviral llamado Tamiflu. El Gobierno de México asegura que tiene las dosis suficientes para atender todos los casos. Si esto es así, y si la población sabe desde el pasado jueves por la noche de la existencia del virus, ¿por qué entonces en México sigue muriendo gente y en el resto de los países donde se han detectado casos aún no se ha confirmado ningún fallecimiento?

Articulo completo - El Pais

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Mexican Toddler in U.S. Dies From Swine Flu

2009-04-29T11:20:00.000-07:00

A Mexican toddler who came to the United States with his family to visit relatives in Texas has died in Houston of the swine flu, Texas officials said Wednesday, even as the number of confirmed cases continued to rise in the United States and Europe without additional reports of fatalities.

President Obama on Wednesday recommended that schools in the United States with confirmed or suspected cases of the disease “strongly consider temporarily closing.”

“This is obviously a serious situation, serious enough to take the utmost precautions,” Mr. Obama said.

Full article - NY Times

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Influenza -Mexico's president is trying to use the swine flu to consolidate his power. - Slate

2009-04-29T10:25:00.000-07:00

The Mexican government's initial reaction to the outbreak of swine flu does not inspire confidence. Practically speaking, its slow response has allowed the disease to spin out of control, leading to up to 100 deaths in Mexico and 20 cases of infection in the United States. From a political standpoint, Mexican President Felipe Calderón appears to be using the outbreak to consolidate his power.

New influenza cases started appearing in Mexico City on March 18. The first death occurred April 12. But the government dragged its feet, hoping that this was an isolated case. As deaths mounted over the following days, the Calderón administration refused to take decisive action.

It wasn't until half a dozen cases were discovered in the United States that the Mexican authorities sent mucus samples to Canadian and U.S. laboratories for testing. The lab results immediately sent alarm throughout Mexico and the world. But almost a month had been lost.

Full article - Slate

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Influenza - What Happened to Avian Flu? - Slate

2009-04-29T09:33:00.000-07:00

It never really went away. We just forgot about it.

Before swine flu reared its head, we thought that the next global pandemic would come from the birds. In 1996, in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, some geese that fell ill and died were found to have carried a new avian influenza virus. Designated H5N1, this virus can be thought of as the grandparent for an incredibly widely distributed, very virulent strain of influenza, responsible for the death of millions of birds and some mammals, including a fair number of humans.

Over the next few years, similar viruses popped up repeatedly in Hong Kong poultry markets, leading to the killing of millions of birds and infecting 18 humans, six of whom died. But it was after 2003 that the disease really took off, spread mostly by wild waterfowl, which are often able to carry the disease and transmit it without becoming sick themselves.

In the years since then, the avian flu virus has been spreading and spreading.

Article in SLATE.

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Influenza - Swine Flu - Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in California

2009-04-28T12:20:00.000-07:00

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency that will help California agencies coordinate efforts in response to the outbreak of swine flu.

Schwarzenegger's proclamation Tuesday sets in motion a series of administrative actions, including ordering all agencies to coordinate with public health officials as needed.

The action also suspends noncompetitive bidding for contracts needed to respond to the outbreak and waives certification requirements for laboratories involved in the testing.

Schwarzenegger also cautioned that "there is no need for alarm."

Article on Reuters
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Article in The Miami Herald

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Cuba bans travel to and from Mexico, virus crosses new borders

2009-04-28T12:16:00.000-07:00

Cuba suspended flights to and from Mexico on Tuesday, becoming the first country to impose a travel ban, as the fast-moving swine flu strain extended its reach overseas and in the United States.

World health officials in Geneva said they believed the virus appears to be establishing itself in communities and be able to produce larger outbreaks outside Mexico. In the U.S., there were new reports of hospitalizations among those affected, and officials are watching for a potential flu pandemic.

"It's a very serious possibility, but it is still too early to say that this is inevitable," the World Health Organization's flu chief, Dr. Keiji Fukuda, told a telephone news conference.

Full article The Miami Herald

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Influenza - U.S. swine flu cases rise, more are expected

2009-04-28T12:09:00.000-07:00

More than 40 people in five states have been sickened by new strain of swine flu that doctors fear may cause a pandemic, U.S. officials said on Monday, promising more cases to come.

Schools were ordered closed in California and Texas, while nervous investors sent U.S. stock prices tumbling on expectations that the flu outbreak could further undermine the economy, which is struggling in recession.

In New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said more than 100 sick students at a high school in Queens were being tested and that 45 were confirmed or likely cases of swine flu.

"We believe that there are probably more than 100 cases of swine flu at the school and lab tests are confirming what we have suspected," he told a news conference.

Article on Reuters.

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Influenza - Swine flu - NYC "Many hundreds" of schoolchildren are sick with suspected cases of swine flu

2009-04-28T12:08:00.000-07:00

"Many hundreds" of schoolchildren are sick with suspected cases of swine flu, said New York City Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden.

Also Tuesday New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said two people are hospitalized with suspected swine flu. He said the hospitalizations are separate from the outbreak at a private school in Queens.

The mayor says the hospitalized are a child in the Bronx and an adult in Brooklyn.

The cases are currently in six states. There are 17 new cases in New York City, four more in Texas and three additional cases in California. That brings the total confirmed cases to 45 in New York City, 13 in California, six in Texas, two in Kansas, one in Ohio and one in Indiana.

For days, CDC officials have said they expected to see more confirmed cases — and more severe illnesses. Health officials across the country have stepped up efforts to look for cases, especially among people with flu-like illness who had traveled to Mexico.

Article in MSNBC

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New cases of the deadly swine flu virus - The UN warns it cannot be contained.

2009-04-28T10:20:00.000-07:00

New cases of the deadly swine flu virus have been confirmed as far afield as New Zealand and Israel, as The US, Canada, Spain and Britain confirmed cases earlier but no deaths have been reported outside Mexico, where the virus was first reported.

Mexico has raised the number of probable deaths to 152, with 1,614 suspected sufferers under observation.

UN inspectors are to examine reports that pig farms spread the virus.

The UN's health agency, the World Health Organization, confirmed that the flu had spread between humans.

Several countries have issued warnings against travelling to Mexico, but the WHO and the EU's health chief, Androulla Vassiliou, said such measures would do little to combat the flu's spread.

WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl said experts were working on a vaccine, but said it could take five or six months to develop.

Health experts say the virus comes from the same strain that causes seasonal outbreaks in humans, but also contains genetic material from versions of flu which usually affect pigs and birds.

Full article - BBC News

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Influenza - Swine flu - CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES - April 28, 2009

2009-04-28T10:18:00.000-07:00

CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES

Mexico: 152 suspected deaths - 20 confirmed cases

US: 51 confirmed cases

Canada: 6 confirmed cases

New Zealand: 3 confirmed cases

UK, Spain, Israel: 2 confirmed cases each

Countries with suspected cases: Brazil, Guatemala, Peru, Australia, and South Korea, and seven EU states

Source - BBC News.

Frontera Mexico - USA con mayor vigilancia sanitaria

2009-04-28T10:16:00.000-07:00

Agentes de Aduana y Protección Fronteriza (CBP por sus siglas en inglés) destacamentados en los puntos de entrada hacia Estados Unidos reforzaron la
vigilancia de los viajeros que ingresan de México a esa nación, ante la influenza.

A través de un comunicado de prensa, la corporación refirió que el ingreso a través de los cruces internacionales se está supervisado de acuerdo con la información que se desprende referente al brote de influenza.

"La CBP le recuerda a los ciudadanos estadounidenses y viajeros en general que tengan planes de entrar a Estados Unidos procedentes de México que serán sometidos a una revisión médica a fin de detectar posibles casos de influenza y remitirlos al departamento de salud", indicó.

Señaló que los puertos de entrada hacia Estados Unidos están abiertos y funcionando de manera normal, a excepción de que ahora se activaron oficiales que están realizando pesquisas para conocer el estado de salud en que ingresan los viajeros.

Articulo - El Universal

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The world response to the Swine Flu - Influenza - BBC News

2009-04-28T10:14:00.000-07:00

Mexico

The only deaths so far from swine flu have been in Mexico, where the outbreak originated. All schools, gyms and courts have been closed until 6 May to prevent contagion. The Mexican government has faced criticism for what some see as its slow response to this outbreak. In Mexico City, surgical masks have been given to the public. President Felipe Calderon has assumed new powers to isolate infected people

Travel to Mexico

Australia, Chile, India, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore have issued advisories against travel to Mexico.
Japan advised its nationals in Mexico to consider returning home soon and has suspended visa waivers for Mexicans.
The European Union's health commissioner, Androulla Vassiliou, said her personal advice to travellers would be to avoid areas of Mexico and the US where cases of swine flu have been reported.

Canada

After six cases were confirmed in Canada, all involving only mild illness, the government said it was stepping up surveillance for possible new cases and urged people to take precautions like frequent hand-washing.

United States

The US was the second country to confirm flu cases; health officials have declared a public health emergency. President Barack Obama has said the outbreak is "cause for concern but not cause for alarm". The state department says it is not yet prepared to restrict travel to Mexico but advises nationals against non-essential travel to Mexico. Inspections have been boosted at US borders and airports. Some schools have been closed in New York City, Texas, California, South Carolina and Ohio.

The world response to the Swine Flu - Influenza - BBC News

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Comercios en el DF pierden mil 500 millones de pesos por día

2009-04-28T09:33:00.000-07:00

El presidente de la Coparmex en el Distrito Federal, Juan de Dios Barba Nava, estimó que las pérdidas en el comercio de la ciudad de México por el cierre de negocios asciende a mil 500 millones de pesos por día, en tanto que el ausentismo laboral es de tres por ciento.

Estos resultados traerá como consecuencia la mortandad de Micro y Pequeñas Empresas además de un alza en el desempleo en caos de que el cese de actividades se prolongue hasta después del 5 de mayo derivado de la contingencia sanitaria por la influenza porcina.

En entrevista con Notimex, afirmó que la mayoría de las Micro y Pequeñas Empresas de la capital viven al día y no tienen capacidad financiera para mantenerse sin actividad

Articulo completo - El Universal

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Grafico en El Pais explicando la Influenza porcina

2009-04-27T14:11:00.000-07:00

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Excelente grafico en El Pais explicando la Influenza porcina (gripe porcina)

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Influenza - The economic impact to Mexico and the world

2009-04-27T14:08:00.000-07:00

Many offices, factories and shops across Mexico opened on Monday morning - but it is going to be far from business as usual.

Workers said they had received few instructions from employers to stay at home.

However, some are remaining away from work because of fears they could contract the swine flu which, aside from the human cost, is already costing industry millions of pounds.

As the virus spreads and new cases emerge around the globe, it seems inevitable that the economic impact will be felt beyond its the borders.

Global investors have already taken pre-emptive action - pinpointing a potential fall-out.

Shares in airlines and hotel firms have taken a hit, as shareholders bet the outbreak will lead to a fall in global travel.

Full article - BBC

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Influenza - An unwelcome Mexican wave - The Economist

2009-04-27T13:53:00.000-07:00

A mysterious new virus is spreading from Mexico. Could it spark a global pandemic?

The culprit is an unusual new virus known as A/H1N1, which is a form of swine flu that has made its way from pigs into humans. Mexican officials began to notice in late March that an unusually high number of patients were suffering from pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses. After preliminary investigations, it was concluded this month that the cause is not seasonal influenza but rather an entirely new hybrid strain composed of pig, bird and human viruses.

Despite Mexican efforts at containment, five American states—California, Texas, Kansas, Ohio and New York—have confirmed mild cases of A/H1N1. So too has Canada, which was overwhelmed by the deadly SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreak a few years ago. Other suspected cases have surfaced in Britain, Israel and New Zealand.

In response, many countries are becoming more vigilant and increasing stocks of antiviral medicines. Some are making noises about banning North American pork, despite assurances from the WHO that eating cooked pork does not transmit swine flu. China and Russia are moving to quarantine visitors with suspicious symptoms. Asian airports have turned on their heat-sensing equipment to detect sick incoming passengers (kit that they had installed after earlier scares resulting from outbreaks of avian flu and SARS).

It is too early to say whether A/H1N1 is a dangerous pandemic in the making. Until all of the Mexican cases are properly examined, authorities cannot know whether patients suffering from flu-like symptoms actually got this new bug or merely some older, less worrisome one. Without that information, it is also impossible to determine the new disease’s virulence

Full Article - The Economist

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Europe issued a travel warning for USA and Mexico

2009-04-27T13:46:00.000-07:00

The first case of swine flu in Europe was confirmed Monday, as health officials in Spain said a man who returned from a trip to Mexico last week has tested positive for swine flu. Officials said 17 other suspected cases were being tested.

An emergency committee meeting of the World Health Organization is expected to raise the pandemic alert level, which is currently at a 3 out of possible 6, two unnamed sources told Bloomberg News.

The WHO has already declared the flu a "public health emergency of international concern" that could become a pandemic, meaning a global outbreak of a serious disease.

In response to the outbreak, the European Union's health commissioner issued a travel warning Monday urging Europeans to avoid trips to the United States or Mexico if possible.

Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Ga., told CNN the warning is unwarranted.

"We are looking very hard for cases of swine flu," he said Monday. "I expect we're going to find some, and we'll find some of increasing severity and more of the mild cases. At this point I would not put a travel restriction or recommendation against coming to the United States."

Full Article - PBS - The News Hour

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Influenza - BMV cerró a la baja de 3.34%

2009-04-27T13:07:00.000-07:00

México, DF. La Bolsa Mexicana de Valores (BMV) cerró este lunes con una baja de 3.34 por ciento, arrastrada principalmente por las emisoras de aeroportuarias y de comerciales, ante las afectaciones en estos sectores por la epidemia de influenza porcina.

El principal indicador de la Bolsa, el Indice de Precios y Cotizaciones (IPC) restó 755.06 puntos al ubicarse en las 21 mil 827.11 unidades. Con este descenso, el Indice sumó su séptima caída importante en el año.

El IPC logró recortar sus pérdidas antes de concluir la jornada tras alcanzar una caída de cinco por ciento a una hora de haber iniciado sus operaciones.

Articulo entero en - La Jornada

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Mexicano es galardonado como Estudiante Internacional del Año 2009 en Irlanda del Norte

2009-04-27T12:14:00.000-07:00

El mexicano Miguel Ángel Ortiz Pérez fue galardonado por el British Council como el Estudiante Internacional del Año 2009 en Irlanda del Norte.

El joven, de 29 años, estudiante de doctorado en la Queen’s University en Belfast, Irlanda del Norte, mereció este reconocimiento internacional por sus aportaciones académicas y de vida en el Reino Unido, pues el galardón reconoce tanto los logros académicos como la creatividad.

Ortiz Pérez obtuvo este premio, entre más de mil 500 alumnos del mundo. Los estudiantes de todos los niveles participan en la competencia si escriben una carta personal en inglés, en la que detallan sus logros fuera del aula, que hacen de su tiempo en el Reino Unido una experiencia gratificante.

Mas Informacion en : Las Buenas Noticias tambien son Noticia

Influenza - USA descartó hoy el cierre de su frontera con México

2009-04-27T12:07:00.000-07:00

Estados Unidos descartó hoy el cierre de su frontera con México para tratar de contener la epidemia de influenza porcina.

"Por el momento, no es una opción que estemos barajando", aseguró Janet Napolitano, Secretaria de Seguridad Interna (DHS) y responsable de coordinar los esfuerzos para conjurar la amenaza de una pandemia en EU. En entrevista con varios medios, Napolitano consideró que ésta posibilidad además de ser "poco realista" impactaría negativamente a la población fronteriza y, además, traería consigo "costos millonarios" en términos de comercio.

Articulo Completo - El Universal

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Influenza - Swine flu - Maps - BBC - Tracking the spread - Day by day

2009-04-27T11:13:00.000-07:00

In Mexico - where the outbreak began - there are now 26 confirmed cases. Some reports say as many as 149 people may have died from swine flu, but WHO officials put the figure much lower and said only about 20 of the deaths could be definitely attributed to swine flu.

This is an excellent map tracking the official number of cases and locations, by the BBC.

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Influenza - Swine flu - USA - C.D.C. Briefing

2009-04-27T11:01:00.000-07:00

Update | 1:52 p.m. Dr. Besser’s briefing is over, and the C.D.C. has updated the Swine Influenza page of its Web site, to show that cases have now been confirmed in the following states: California (7 cases); Kansas (2 cases); New York City (28 cases); Ohio (1 case); Texas (2 cases).

That same page has links to a lot of useful information about how to spot the infection, how to avoid getting it, and a podcast, available as audio or video, in which “Dr. Joe Bresee, with the C.D.C. Influenza Division, describes swine flu — its signs and symptoms, how it’s transmitted, medicines to treat it, steps people can take to protect themselves from it, and what people should do if they become ill.”

Update | 1:16 p.m. | C.D.C. Briefing Dr. Besser says that, for people who run businesses or schools, it is “time to think about” how they might adapt if an outbreak happens on a large scale and they have to make things work with people working or studying from home. He also says that 11 million doses of anti-viral drugs from a government stockpile have been sent to states with cases of the swine flu, including California, Texas and New York.

Update | 1:19 p.m. | C.D.C. Briefing In response to a question from a reporter, Dr. Besser says that wearing masks is generally not as useful as doing things to prevent disease transmission, like washing your hands and forgoing “that little kiss of greeting” between people. Dr. Besser makes the point that the flu is not transmitted by eating pork.

Updates on the Swine flu - The Lede - NY Times

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6.0 Earthquake in the Guerrero coast, it's felt in Mexico City

2009-04-27T10:48:00.001-07:00

Un sismo de 5.7 grados en escala de Richter sacudió hoy al Distrito Federal, en medio de la alerta sanitaria por el brote de gripe porcina. [Fue revisado a 6.0 mas tarde]

El temblor se produjo en momentos en que el secretario de Salud, José Ángel Córdova, daba en una rueda de prensa sobre la situación sanitaria que se vive en el país.

Hasta el momento se desconoce si ha ocasionado daños personales o materiales.

Necessary cooperation Mexico City and Mexico's President - Editorial - The News

2009-04-27T10:41:00.000-07:00

We certainly didn´t have an influenza epidemic in mind when we criticized Mayor Marcelo Ebrard in the past for his refusal to work with President Felipe Calderón. But the current situation is a perfect example of why the lines of communication between federal and local governments must be completely open at all times.

Let´s be clear: All indications are that the cooperation and collaborative efforts have been carried out smoothly, specifically with regard to the activities of Mexico City Health Secretary Armando Ahued. He has been directly involved in discussions and working sessions with his federal counterpart, José Angel Córdova.

Full Editorial - The News

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Influenza - Swine flu - Mexico suspende clases en todo el pais para contener el brote

2009-04-27T10:18:00.000-07:00

El secretario de Salud, José Ángel Córdova Villalobos, anunció la suspensión de clases en todos los niveles educativos en todos los estados del país, hasta el próximo 6 de mayo.

En conferencia de prensa, el funcionario admitió que México enfrenta el momento más álgido de la epidemia de influenza porcina, por lo que "desgraciadamente" los casos seguirán incrementando.

En su informe, Córdova detalló que el número de muertos durante la actual contingencia aumentó a 149, auqnue insistió en que se realizan las investigaciones para determinar si fueron causadas por la influenza porcina.

Asímismo, señaló que mil 995 personas han sido ingresadas por neumonía grave a los hospitales, de los cuales 776 siguen hospítalizados y mil 70 han sido dados de alta.

El funcionario agradeció el apoyo y la "actitud madura y responsable" de la población y los sectores público y privado del pais.

Articulo en El Universal.

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Influenza - Swine flu - Maps - North America & Europe - April 27, 2009

2009-04-27T10:15:00.000-07:00

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Google Maps - Click here to see any updates on outbreaks around the world.

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Influenza - Swine flu - BBC - How well prepared is the world?

2009-04-27T10:07:00.000-07:00

Experts are adamant, the world has never been better prepared for a flu pandemic.

History tells us that there are global epidemics every 30 to 50 years.

And with the last one happening in the late 1960s, governments across the world have been on alert for the past decade.

That moment could now be here with the World Health Organization describing the outbreak of swine flu as a major concern.

Governments across the world have been revising and making new plans since the re-emergence of bird flu six years ago in south east Asia.

Nearly 150 countries are now known to have drawn up contingency plans covering everything from the response of health services to travel restrictions and international co-operation

Keiji Fukuda, who is in charge of health security at WHO, said governments have responded responsibly by stockpiling drugs.

He said: "I think for the immediate period I would say that we are much better off than we've been in the past."

A global fund has been set up to help support poorer countries - with the World Bank, the US and European Commission big donors.

Their concern is that there only needs to be one weak link in the chain for the best laid plans to unravel.

Full article. - BBC News

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Influenza - Swine flu - On the name of this flu

2009-04-27T10:05:00.000-07:00

Naming the Strain The World Organisation for Animal Health in Paris has issued a statement asking everyone to please stop calling this influenza outbreak “swine flu,” since this name might lead people to believe that they can get the virus from eating pork. According to the statement: “There is no evidence that this virus is transmitted by food,” and “the virus has not been isolated in animals.” The animal health body suggests that since “many human influenza epidemics with animal origin have been named after their geographic origin, e.g. Spanish influenza or Asiatic influenza, thus it would be logical to call this disease “North-American influenza.”

One problem with that reasoning is that “Spanish flu,” which is what the pandemic was initially known as in 1918, did not really start in Spain. That outbreak was merely reported first in Spain, since the country was not involved in the World War going on at the time, and so had better reporting on infection. Another might be that North America includes a lot of territory only slightly effected by the outbreak so far.

Influenza - Parents in Mexico City left with new dilemma

2009-04-27T09:42:00.000-07:00

BY NACHA CATTAN - The News

Working parents were struggling Sunday to find a place to leave their children who will be out of school for one week in two states and the capital to prevent the spread of swine flu.

The Health Secretariat suspended classes from primary schools through university until at least May 6 in Mexico City, the State of Mexico and San Luis Potosí - all of which have registered a high concentration of the rare flu. Government day care centers were also shuttered.

For single mom and street vendor Emerina Valentín Morales, the news was hard to swallow. She'll have no choice but to take her 7-year-old son to work with her in the streets selling tacos, she said.

"It's dangerous because I can't watch over him while I'm working," Valentín Morales said. Her son, who accompanied her to work on Sunday, sat digging up dirt with a dead tree branch while she tended to customers.

Full Article - The News

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Usa la Internet el 25% de los mexicanos

2009-04-27T08:23:00.000-07:00

MONTERREY, NUEVO LEÓN.- Sólo un 25% de los mexicanos se conecta a Internet, a diferencia del 70% que lo hace en países como Estados Unidos; aún así, la Ciudad de México se ubica al nivel de las ciudades más avanzadas del mundo en cuanto a penetración se refiere.

Estas cifras fueron el resultado de un estudio realizado por el World Internet Project y el Tecnológico de Monterrey entre dos mil mexicanos, donde también se determinó que el mayor número de internautas se encuentra en la Ciudad de México y área metropolitana, donde existe un 40% de penetración.

Jeffrey Cole, director del World Internet Project y ex asesor de la Casa Blanca en medios y telecomunicaciones, aseguró que este 40% ubica a la capital al nivel de las ciudades avanzadas del mundo.

Articulo en - El Siglo de Torreon.

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Influenza - Swine Flu Deaths Spur Global Epidemic Fears - video

2009-04-26T18:20:00.000-07:00

Influenza - Noticiero en España - tve - video

2009-04-26T17:30:00.000-07:00

En este video dicen que el virus al parecer llego de los USA. Anuncian las acciones a tomar en Mexico...y tambien tienen un segmento de la situacion en California y Texas.

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The Influenza Virus - How it infects the body - video

2009-04-26T16:24:00.000-07:00

Even though this video explains the typical Influenza virus, the process is quite the same for the swine flu virus.

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Human Swine Influenza Investigation - CDC - 20 confirmed cases in the USA

2009-04-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.

* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

* Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
* If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Link to the CDC website.

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Influenza - No quarantine has been issued in the US, that is a local level decision.

2009-04-26T10:02:00.001-07:00

Even with the outbreak being widespread, this is by no means, similar to the 1918 outbreak. No quarantine has been issued in the US, that is a local level decision.

"We're nowhere near quarantine level" Janet Napolitano.

The flu strain is not resistant to the antiviral drugs, this means it can be treated with current drugs. No vaccine is available because it is a new flu virus, but some steps has been made to start that process if needed.

In terms of detection, so far in the US, this is a mild disease. More cases are expected to be detected once doctors start to identify more patients.

"We are doing passive surveillance on airports. We are letting air carriers decide who should board a plane or not. This protocols might evolve in the next days" Janel Napolitano.

Influenza - USA has a strategic national stockpile of medication

2009-04-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

Some of those doses will be available for immediate release if needed.

Treatment "priority will go to the states with identified outbreks of the disease"

This is linked to the Emergency declaration, it frees up resources and personnel. It's a precautionary measure, similar to the hurricane warnings.

CDC "We do not know yet why people in Mexico have died and not here in the US".

Influenza - US to declare a Public Health Emergency. No clusters have been identified in the US as of today.

2009-04-26T09:52:00.000-07:00

Department of Health and Human Services in the US to declare a Public Health Emergency later today. Secy. Janet Napolitano said in a news conference from the White House.

The US government will make "Stockpile of treatments" available.

TSA personnel will be on alerte at airports. The Secretary of State has not issued a travel alert for Mexico. But updates will follow after they monitor the situation.

The government can't solve this alone, people need to take personal responsibility. Follow the guidelines recommended by the experts.

No clusters have been identified in the US as of today.

CDC has 20 confirmed cases in the US, more are expected to surface now that the health authorities will be on the lookout.

The virus has been isolated and they will be ready for the making of a vaccine, however, this process can take months. And that would happen only after they decide to manufacture it.

Influenza - Publican decreto extraordinario en México por epidemia

2009-04-26T09:19:00.000-07:00

El presidente de México, Felipe Calderón, aseguró que el Ejecutivo asume el control de las acciones en el país para prevenir, controlar y combatir el virus de la influenza. Por medio de un decreto, publicado hoy en una edición extraordinaria del Diario Oficial, Calderón puntualizó la responsabilidad de su gobierno para enfrentar la enfermedad, así como las acciones de la población para minimizarla.

Desde el jueves en la noche, el país, en particular en esta ciudad y el vecino estado de México está en emergencia ante la presencia de un nuevo virus, que no se había presentado con anterioridad en ninguna parte del mundo.

El decreto publicado este sábado contiene 13 medidas entre las que figura la posibilidad de la clausura temporal de sitios con alta concentración de personas como locales o centros de espectáculos.

También prevé el aislamiento de personas que puedan padecer la enfermedad y de los portadores de gérmenes de la misma, por el tiempo que resulte estrictamente necesario, y la limitación de sus actividades, cuando así se amerite por razones epidemiológicas.

Contempla igualmente, entre otras medidas, la regulación del tránsito terrestre, marítimo y aéreo, así como disponer libremente de todos los medios de transporte de propiedad del Estado y de servicio público, cualquiera que sea el régimen legal a que estén sujetos estos últimos.

Articulo completo - Prensa Latina

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Influenza - OMS declara emergencia internacional de salud

2009-04-26T09:11:00.000-07:00

La OMS le pidió a todos los países que aumenten la vigilancia de la enfermedad y que pongan en vigor una respuesta coordinada para contenerla.

La enfermedad ha afectado a más de mil personas en México y ha llegado a Texas, California, Kansas y probablemente Nueva York, aunque no se han reportado muertes en Estados Unidos.

El Departamento de Salud de Kansas confirmó el sábado dos casos de gripe porcina en dos adultos que viven en la misma vivienda. Uno había visitado México recientemente. Otros ocho, estudiantes de una secundaria de Nueva York, probablemente tienen gripe porcina pero funcionarios de salud dijeron no están seguros de que sea la misma cepa.

En la capital mexicana se reportaron dos docenas de nuevos casos y las autoridades han suspendido las actividades escolares y públicas hasta nuevo aviso. Se cancelaron más de 500 conciertos, eventos deportivos y otras reuniones en la metrópolis de 20 millones de habitantes.

El gobierno mexicano emitió un decreto que autoriza al presidente Felipe Calderón a invocar poderes especiales que permitan a las autoridades de Salud aislar pacientes e inspeccionar casas, viajeros y equipaje y carga.

Articulo completo - El Nuevo Herald

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Influenza - "Calma, la enfermedad es curable" Presidente Calderón

2009-04-26T09:07:00.000-07:00

Tras admitir que el país vive una situación compleja en materia de salud pública, “un momento serio y grave” por la presencia de la epidemia de influenza por virus porcino, el presidente Felipe Calderón aseguró que la gente puede estar tranquila porque es curable, tratable y existen los medicamentos para hacerle frente.

Durante la primera gira de trabajo que realizó en el interior del país luego de conocerse la situación de emergencia, señaló: ”Estamos ante una epidemia de influenza, no tanto por el número de casos, sino por el hecho de que se trata de un virus nuevo, algo desconocido, pero que tiene cura y es tratable, y tenemos el medicamento para curarlo en cantidades abundantes, más que suficientes”.

En la entrega de un hospital de especialidades en Salina Cruz, el mandatario ofreció un mensaje para infundir calma a la población, ya que “minuto a minuto se monitorea la evolución de la influenza en todo el país” y señaló que se trata de una epidemia en rango controlable.

Advirtió que es fundamental evitar que se pueda convertir en pandemia y, por tanto, la estrategia es impedir la transmisión del virus a cualquier costo.

Articulo completo - La Cronica - Mexico

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Las 10 acciones recomendadas contra la influenza

2009-04-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

Ante la epidemia de influenza por un virus, las autoridades y expertos han recomendado a la población algunas medidas preventivas que son fáciles y ayudarán a evitar la propagación de la gripe porcina:

- Usar cubrebocas cuando salga a la calle, acuda al trabajo, o regrese del mismo. Explicar a compañeros de trabajo, vecinos o amigos el uso correcto del cubrebocas: en nariz y boca para mayor efectividad.

- No propagar el pánico, ni exagerar las indicaciones de las autoridades, ya que son medidas preventivas.

- No saludar de beso, ni de mano. Sobre este punto, poner especial cuidado con enfermos o en lugares donde haya enfermos confirmados.

- No acudir a centros de salud a menos de que sea estrictamente necesario, pues hay cercos sanitarios en los hospitales.

- Lavarse las manos constantemente con jabón antibacterial o utilizar gel antibacterial. Debido a que esa simple acción puede matar al virus de la gripe porcina.

- Mantenerse alejado de las multitudes. Evitar acudir a conciertos, partidos, obras de teatro y parques.

Lista completa - El Universal - Mexico

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Influenza - Casa Blanca explicará respuesta de USA a la influenza porcina

2009-04-26T08:59:00.000-07:00

La Casa Blanca planea un encuentro con la prensa el domingo al mediodía para explicar la respuesta del gobierno estadounidense al brote de gripe porcina en México, al sur de su frontera, mientras estudiantes de un colegio secundario de la ciudad de Nueva York aguardan noticias de si la influenza que los afecta es del mismo tipo de la que ha matado a decenas de personas en México.

Entre los funcionarios que discutirán la situación están la secretaria de Seguridad Interna, Janet Napolitano, y el director en funciones de los Centros de Control y Prevención de Enfermedades, el doctor Richard Besser.

Hasta ahora, ha habido al menos 11 casos confirmados de gripe porcina en California, Texas y Kansas. Las edades de los pacientes van desde los nueve hasta más de 50 años. Al menos dos fueron hospitalizados, pero se encontraban bien.

Una variante mortal de la gripe porcina en México podría haber matado hasta 81 personas y enfermado a 1.324 desde el 13 de abril.

El consejo de seguridad del presidente Barack Obama está monitoreando el brote, junto con el Departamento de Estado y los CDC. La Casa Blanca se reunirá con la prensa a partir de las 12.30 horas

Articulo en - El Nuevo Herald - Miami

Influenza - 8 casos en Monterrey

2009-04-26T08:55:00.000-07:00

La ciudad de Monterrey, la segunda urbe más importante de México, reportó en las últimas horas el contagio de ocho personas con el denominado virus porcino, que ya provocó en el país 20 decesos por influenza, confirmados. La secretaria de Salud del norteño estado de Nuevo León, Gabriela Govea, afirmó que hasta el momento no se han reportado difusiones por el brote epidémico en la demarcación.

Sin embargo, se refirió a que muchos ciudadanos de aquel estado viajan constantemente por el país, principalmente a la capital y es podrían contagiarse en otros lugares con el virus de este nuevo tipo de influenza.

De acuerdo con reportes de prensa desde Monterrey, los principales accesos viales, la central de autobuses y los aeropuertos de la ciudad mantienen vigilancia sanitaria las 24 horas y son examinados los viajeros que llegan desde el Distrito Federal y los estados de México y San Luis Potosi, centro del brote de influenza.

Articulo en - La Prensa Latina

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Influenza - Suspensión de clases en DF, estado de México y San Luis Potosí hasta el 6 de mayo. No hay misas tampoco.

2009-04-26T08:51:00.000-07:00

Córdova Villalobos, Secretario de Salud, anunció la suspensión total de eventos en espacios abiertos o cerrados como centros de culto religioso, estadios, teatros, cines, bares, para evitar aglomeraciones.

Ante ello, la Arquidiócesis confirmó que el cardenal Norberto Rivera Carrera celebrará el tradicional oficio dominical en la Catedral Metropolitana a puerta cerrada y se transmitirá por radio a todos los fieles.

La Secretaría de Educación (SEP) anunció que en el Distrito Federal, estado de México y San Luis Potosí las actividades en las escuelas públicas y privadas, desde preescolar hasta nivel superior, incluidas las guarderías, permanecerán cerradas hasta el 6 de mayo para evitar un mayor contagio.

El secretario Alonso Lujambio calculó que sólo se perderán tres jornadas, pues el 30 de abril es día del niño, y los días 1 y 5 de mayo son de asueto.

Articulo Completo - El Universal

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Influenza - Mexico DF - El día que la ciudad se escondió

2009-04-26T08:14:00.000-07:00

El jinete del contagio cabalgó en la ciudad de México por avenidas semivacías, aceras desiertas de peatones, pasó frente a lugares de reunión cerrados o poco concurridos. Este fue el sábado en el que la metrópoli se escondió del virus de nueva generación que ha venido al mundo.

Millones de habitantes evitaron salir de sus casas, como lo recomendaron las autoridades sanitarias. Muchos otros fueron al trabajo, a atender asuntos, o pasear y comer como en un día de descanso. Pero este segundo día de alerta sanitaria fue muy diferente.

Por primera vez que se recuerde, la Ciudad de México quebró su rutina de paseo y diversión de manera radical. Hubo una minoría que no tuvo donde ir: los habitantes de la calle, los vagabundos, niños sin familia, ancianos que se han quedado sin nada. Perdidos habituales en la multitud, hoy los menesterosos estuvieron visibles en las esquinas poco concurridas.

Aquella crónica musical de Chava Flores, de "Sábado, Distrito Federal", que cuenta: "desde las diez ya no hay donde parar el coche", por obra del virus de la influenza se esfumó. Había espacio suficiente para salir a rodar lento; aprender a manejar; estacionar el automóvil en el lugar soñado.

Articulo en El Universal

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Influenza - Mexico DF - Anuncio de suspension de clases - Abril 24 2009

2009-04-25T18:28:00.000-07:00

Influenza - Mexico DF - Una ciudad sin miedo - EL PAIS

2009-04-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

Excelente cronica de un periodista de El Pais al recorrer la Ciudad.

SALVADOR CAMARENA - Ciudad de México

Un periodista de ELPAÍS.com escribe desde su teléfono móvil al minuto su recorrido por las calles de la capital mexicana

Ciudad de México, 09.59, hora local (17.59 en España)

Daniel y Monia dejaron caer los brazos y con resignación exclamaron: "cerrado, ya lo ves". Son de Barcelona, una feria de arte los trajo a México pero no podrán entrar al Museo Nacional de Antropología e Historia. Ella toma fotos y él se rasca la calva. "Pues no lo se, no se que haremos con el tiempo libre, pero mientras no cierre el aeropuerto, todo bien", dice Daniel, de unos cincuenta anos.

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10.00. Todo está más vacío

Son las diez de la manana. El corredor de los grandes museos del Paseo de la Reforma luce como si fueran dos horas mas temprano . Los mexicanos, muchos con mascarillas, hacen como que hacen vida normal pero todo esta mas vacio.

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10.06. Tapabocas

De los 20 pasajeros, cuatro traen tapabocas como acá se les dice a las mascarillas. Nadie los mira con curiosidad. Javier tiene un expendio de dulces y trae la mascarilla pero enredada al cuello. "Es que tenía tos, y cuando toso sí me la pongo, para proteger a los otros".

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10.13. Mascarilla azul

Primera parada. La villa de Guadalupe. Dicen que aquí se apareció la Virgen. El teniente (no quiso dar su nombre) es hoy aquí el mas popular. Todos los autos se detienen. Él va a repartir 133.000 mascarillas. "La gente está agradecida, porque en las farmacias ya no hay", dice y todos los claxonazos le reclaman. Ya tengo mi mascarilla. Es azul.

Cronica Completa en El Pais

Influenza-like illness in the United States and Mexico - WHO - OMS

2009-04-25T13:02:00.000-07:00

From the World Health Organization website:

24 April 2009 -- The United States Government has reported seven confirmed human cases of Swine Influenza A/H1N1 in the USA (five in California and two in Texas) and nine suspect cases. All seven confirmed cases had mild Influenza-Like Illness (ILI), with only one requiring brief hospitalization. No deaths have been reported.

The Government of Mexico has reported three separate events. In the Federal District of Mexico, surveillance began picking up cases of ILI starting 18 March. The number of cases has risen steadily through April and as of 23 April there are now more than 854 cases of pneumonia from the capital. Of those, 59 have died. In San Luis Potosi, in central Mexico, 24 cases of ILI, with three deaths, have been reported. And from Mexicali, near the border with the United States, four cases of ILI, with no deaths, have been reported.

Of the Mexican cases, 18 have been laboratory confirmed in Canada as Swine Influenza A/H1N1, while 12 of those are genetically identical to the Swine Influenza A/H1N1 viruses from California.

The majority of these cases have occurred in otherwise healthy young adults. Influenza normally affects the very young and the very old, but these age groups have not been heavily affected in Mexico.

Because there are human cases associated with an animal influenza virus, and because of the geographical spread of multiple community outbreaks, plus the somewhat unusual age groups affected, these events are of high concern.

The Swine Influenza A/H1N1 viruses characterized in this outbreak have not been previously detected in pigs or humans. The viruses so far characterized have been sensitive to oseltamivir, but resistant to both amantadine and rimantadine.

Full Press Release - World Health Organization

Influenza - La OMS Instala comité de emergencia a nivel mundial contra influenza

2009-04-25T12:56:00.000-07:00

La Secretaría de Salud reconoció que la nueva cepa de influenza de origen porcino, que causó la muerte confirmada de 20 personas ya que los 48 decesos restantes se encuentran bajo sospecha, es altamente contagiosa, mortal y con propiedades pandémicas, por lo que hoy quedará instalado un comité de emergencia a nivel mundial; liderado por la Organización Mundial de la Salud, que ofrecerá apoyo y asesoría técnica para disminuir los riesgos.

Aunque ayer la OMS lanzó la alerta mundial sobre el nuevo brote y ubicó a México como un foco rojo, el secretario de Salud, José Ángel Córdova Villalobos aclaró que “afortunadamente la OMS no decretó la cuarentena para el cierre de fronteras para México; entonces, por ahora no hay ninguna restricción para los extranjeros que quieran visitar nuestro país”.

No obstante, la Secretaría de Salud en coordinación con las autoridades sanitarias del Distrito Federal y del Estado de México extremaron las medidas preventivas para evitar la propagación de un virus que, hasta el momento, mantiene en hospitalización a mil 4 personas tanto en los institutos nacionales de Enfermedades Respiratorias y de Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, como en hospitales del IMSS.

Hasta el momento, sin embargo, no se ha contemplado que haya paros laborales. Ademas de que se analiza concentrar a todos los enfermenos en un número determinado de hospitales.

Articulo completo - Milenio

Influenza - El virus ingresó al país por los estados de Texas y California - Casi seguro que se suspendan las clases la siguiente semana

2009-04-25T12:46:00.000-07:00

El secretario de Salud, José Ángel Córdova, anticipó como “casi seguro” que se suspendan las clases toda la semana, aunque esta decisión se tomará hoy en un encuentro con el titular de la SEP, Alonso Lujambio.

El gobierno federal cuenta con un millón de dosis antivirales que se compraron inicialmente para enfrentar un brote de gripe aviar, pero se están utilizando para el tratamiento de la influenza porcina.

Explicó que el virus ingresó al país por los estados de Texas y California, Estados Unidos, ya que generalmente por esta zona entran los visitantes asiáticos. Aclaró que México es receptor, mas no país de origen de la transmisión viral.

Los estados de México, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Chihuahua y San Luis Potosí, junto con el Distrito Federal encabezan la lista de los que tienen el mayor número de casos; en el resto no se han registrado personas afectadas, pero se alertó a la población a mantener medidas para evitar el contagio, principalmente en zonas fronterizas al norte y sur del país, donde el movimiento migratorio es constante.

Articulo Completo - El Universal

Influenza - EE UU alerta de que no se puede contener el contagio del virus de la influenza pocina

2009-04-25T12:08:00.000-07:00

"Es una pandemia potencial porque está infectando a personas": con estas palabras ha definido la directora general de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), Margaret Chan, la hasta ahora desconocida y extraña gripe que ha matado a al menos a 20 personas en México, y puede haber afectado hasta alrededor 1000 personas. El mensaje de alarma también ha llegado desde EE UU donde se han registrado ocho casos no mortales de la gripe. El Centro de Control y Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) ha alertado de que no se podrá controlar la extensión del virus.

"Hay que estar preparado para lo peor. La situación es muy seria y estamos muy preocupados", ha asegurado la directora en funciones de salud pública del CDC, Anne Schuchat. "Está claro que está extendida y por eso les hacemos saber que no podemos contener el contagio de este virus", ha indicado Anne Schuchat, del CDC, en rueda de prensa telefónica.

La OMS confirmó ayer los primeros casos mortales (20 hasta el momento, aunque se investigan otros 48 fallecimientos sospechosos ) por infección de este virus mutante en México. Otros ocho casos no mortales se han registrado en EE UU, mientras se investiga un número indeterminado de posibles infectados, entre ellos 70 escolares de un centro privado de Nueva York, algunos de los cuales viajaron a México unos días antes. El virus causa síntomas parecidos a la gripe normal, aunque con más diarrea y vómitos. Sin embargo, la alarma se debe a que se ha comprobado que se transmite de persona a persona, con el consiguiente peligro de que se convierta en una pandemia.

Articulo completo - El Pais

Influenza - Mexico City reacting to the outbreak

2009-04-25T12:03:00.000-07:00

Mexico City was swept up in a wave of alarm on Friday, prompting some residents to rush to pharmacies or hole up in their homes to escape a potentially deadly swine flu virus.

Parents picked up their children from school early Friday, as classes were suspended in Mexico City and surrounding municipalities. Some residents said they opened all the windows in their homes to increase ventilation; others stocked up on surgical masks, reportedly clearing out many large drug stores.

Companies responded by sending people with flu-like symptoms home, while some offices - an entire Banamex headquarters building on Reforma, for instance - were closed for the day.

Not everyone was in a panic, however. "It's not that big a deal. The crime we live with 365 days a year is more worrying. This is something that will pass," shop manager Edward Vilchis told Reuters.

Full Article - The News

Flu epidemic could add to economic pain in Mexico

2009-04-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

Significant worsening of an outbreak of a fatal new flu strain in Mexico could damage the retail and tourism sectors in an economy already stinted by the global economic crisis.

Mexican authorities closed schools on Friday and urged people to take extra precautions to avoid spreading illness, and the World Health Organization said it was monitoring the situation.

"This could become a serious problem for the economy," said Gabriel Casillas, an economist at UBS, who noted a large outbreak could lead to a further slowdown in consumer spending if shoppers stay home out of fear of the illness.

Full Article - The News

Mexico DF - Un fin de semana sin museos ni fútbol

2009-04-24T23:40:00.000-07:00

Primero fue cancelado el deber, y después la diversión. Luego de un viernes atípico en el que fueron suspendidas las clases en todos los niveles y planteles educativos, la Ciudad de México se fue a dormir con la certeza de que uno de sus mayores orgullos, sus museos, cerrarán sus puertas este fin de semana. La medida forma parte de las acciones que ha emprendido el Gobierno Mexicano para controlar el brote de influenza porcina.

No sólo cerrarán los museos. La amplia red de teatros y los cines que dependen del Gobierno federal, y múltiples actividades como festivales con motivo del Día del Niño, así como paseos ciclistas y conciertos, se han suspendido desde ayer. Por si quedaba alguna duda sobre el ambiente de prevención que priva en la capital del país, incluso dos importantes juegos de fútbol, en los que tomarían parte tres de los más populares equipos de la primera división -Guadalajara, América y UNAM-, se jugarán en silencio, sin multitudes en las tribunas.

Articulo completo - El Pais

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Flu strain fuels alarm in Mexico

2009-04-24T23:34:00.000-07:00

A strain of swine flu forced Mexico City authorities Friday to close schools throughout the sprawling city of 20 million people and order emergency health measures in an attempt to contain the disease.

In Geneva, the World Health Organization said the strain in Mexico was identical to one that recently showed up in California and Texas. "We are very, very concerned," WHO spokesman Thomas Abraham said. "It's all hands on deck at the moment."

As many as 60 Mexicans may have died from the illness in the past few days. In Mexico City, nervous parents formed long lines at clinics Friday, some wearing surgical masks.

Authorities in Mexico urged people to avoid hospitals except for medical emergencies because hospitals are centers of infection. They also said Mexicans should refrain from customary greetings such as shaking hands or kissing cheeks.

Closing schools across Mexico's capital kept 6.1 million students home. In addition, all state and city-run cultural activities were suspended, including at libraries, state-run theaters and museums.

Reported swine flu symptoms include runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

The Pan American Health Organization said Friday that so far there have been 854 cases of "influenza-like illness" in Mexico City, with 59 deaths.

Mexican Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova said Friday that the rate of deaths is slowing. He also said there are no plans to close the borders because of the outbreak.

Full Article - Chicago Tribune

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