Infection reaches Middle East; border controls, travel restrictions ‘do not work’
Mexico City residents wear surgical masks as they leave the subway system on Monday. Mexico's government is trying to stem the spread of a deadly strain of swine flu as a new work week begins by urging people to stay home if they have symptoms of the virus. It is believed to have killed more than 100 people.
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County coroner’s office on Tuesday was investigating the recent deaths of two men for links to swine flu. If confirmed, the cases would be the first swine flu deaths in the United States.
“What we have right now is there are a couple cases that are going to be brought in for examination for swine flu, but we have no confirmation that’s what it is at this stage,” coroner’s Capt. John Kades told The Associated Press.
Kades released no details on the cases.
The Los Angeles Times said both deaths were reported to the coroner’s office on Monday.
A Bellflower hospital reported the death of a 33-year-old Long Beach man who was brought in Saturday with symptoms resembling swine flu, coroner’s spokesman Craig Harvey told the newspaper.
The man was taken to the hospital complaining of shortness of breath and lymphoma, a type of cancer, and doctors later diagnosed him with pneumonia, Harvey said.
The other death was a 45-year-old La Mirada man who died April 22 at Coast Plaza Doctor’s Hospital in Norwalk, according to the Times. Doctors said the man died of pneumonia, but the county health department refused to accept the death certificate and referred the case to the coroner’s office, the Times said.
Richard Besser, acting director of the federal Centers for Disease Control, said Tuesday at least five people were hospitalized with swine flu in the United States, including three in California.
“I fully expect we will see deaths from this infection,” as swine flu cases are investigated, he said.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency Tuesday to help California agencies coordinate efforts in response to the outbreak of swine flu. However, he cautioned that “there is no need for alarm.”
“We are taking strong and swift action to limit the spread of the virus and to minimize its effects,” Schwarzenegger said at a news conference.
California has 11 confirmed cases of swine flu, said Dr. Mark Horton, director of the state Department of Public Health.
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SWINE FLU DEVELOPMENTS
Key developments on swine flu outbreaks, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and government officials:
• Deaths: 152, all in Mexico, 20 confirmed as swine flu and rest suspected. Two deaths in California are being investigated for possible swine flu links.
• Sickened: 1,995 people in Mexico got pneumonia but swine flu not yet confirmed. 68 confirmed in U.S., including at least 28 at one New York City school. Elsewhere, 13 confirmed in Canada; two confirmed in Scotland; 11 confirmed in New Zealand; two confirmed in Spain; and two confirmed in Israel.
• U.S. cases confirmed by CDC: 45 in New York, 10 in California, six in Texas, two in Kansas, and one in Ohio, according to CDC and states. State health officials report three more confirmed cases in California and one in Indiana.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration issues emergency guidance allowing certain antiviral drugs to be used in broader range of population if needed. Public health emergency declared and roughly 12 million doses of Tamiflu from federal stockpile to be delivered to states. Nonessential travel to Mexico discouraged and arriving travelers questioned at Mexico border.
• Some schools closed in New York City, Texas, California, South Carolina, Connecticut and Ohio.
• Mexico suspends all schools until May 6. In Mexico City, surgical masks given to the public, venues closed and public events canceled. President assumed new powers to isolate infected people. World Bank loaning Mexico more than $200 million.
• Worldwide: WHO raises alert to Phase 4 of 6, noting disease spreads easily but isn’t pandemic. European Union health commissioner urges Europeans to postpone nonessential travel to U.S. and Mexico. Hong Kong and South Korea warn against travel to parts of Mexico. Airports screen travelers from Mexico and United States. Some countries ban pork imports.
• Wall Street rebounded slightly Wednesday after world markets fell due to worry that outbreak could derail economic recovery. Oil prices fell to near $49 a barrel Tuesday amid fears spread of the flu would further undermine demand by cutting travel.
The Associated Press
ON THE WEB
World Health Organization: tinyurl.com/dbppsd