Mexico has 506 confirmed cases of the H1N1 (swine flu), and 19 deaths (the high increase in numbers over the past few days is due to testing of previously collected samples). The most recent death due to the swine flu was on April 29th. There are 226 cases in the United States. Other countries with the highest number of people infected with the virus are Canada, with 85 cases, and Spain, with 40. In total, there are 898 cases reported in 18 different countries. (WHO)
May 2, 2009
There are 397 confirmed cases of H1N1 (swine flu) in Mexico. The increase from yesterday's total of 99 is due to testing of previously collected samples. There have been 16 deaths in Mexico that have been confirmed as due to the virus. In the US there are 160 cases, and in Canada there are 50 cases. The virus is present in 16 different countries. (WHO)
A herd of pigs in Alberta, Canada were found to be infected with the A(H1N1) virus. It is thought that the pigs were infected by a farm worker who recently returned from Mexico.
May 1, 2009
Mexico has 156 confirmed cases of H1N1, including nine deaths, and the US has 141 cases (WHO).
Mexico's tourism industry has been hard hit by the swine flu epidemic. Hotels in Cancun are reporting 20% occupancy rates. Many airlines cancel flights to Mexico for lack of passengers. Thermal scanners have been installed in Mexico City and Cancun airports to detect travelers with a high body temperature.
Labor Day in Mexico, a national holiday usually associated with workers union marches, is quiet this year, as most Mexicans follow the advice of the government and stay home to avoid the spread of the H1N1 virus.
April 30, 2009
There are 97 laboratory-confirmed cases of swine flu in Mexico, including seven deaths (there are over 2000 suspected cases and 170 deaths that have not been confirmed to be due to swine flu). In the United States, there are 109 confirmed cases of the virus, 50 of which are located in New York. The virus has been reported in 11 different countries.
The WHO announces that from this point forward it will refer to swine flu as influenza A(H1N1).
April 29, 2009
The World Health Organization raises the influenza pandemic alert level from 4 to 5, indicating that a pandemic may be imminent. The WHO urges all countries to immediately activate their pandemic preparedness plans.
There are 91 confirmed cases of swine flu in the United States, and the virus has been confirmed in nine different countries. A Mexican toddler dies in Texas in the first confirmed US death due to swine flu.
Archaeological sites throughout Mexico are closed to the public. Schools, museums and cultural centers remain closed. Major cruise lines cancel ports of call in Mexico.
Mexican president Felipe Calderon makes a televised address to the people of Mexico announcing that from May 1st to 5th nonessential government services will be shut down (it would have been a long weekend anyway, with Friday, May 1st being Labor Day and Tuesday, May 5 Cinco de Mayo), and urging people to stay home and avoid crowded places.
April 28, 2009
The United States and several other countries issue travel warnings and advisories against travel to Mexico. Cuba and Argentina cancel all flights from Mexico.
Swine flu is the suspected cause of 152 deaths in Mexico (26 laboratory confirmed cases and 7 deaths) and has spread to at least six countries. There are 64 confirmed cases in the United States.
Schools and museums across Mexico are closed to prevent the spread of the illness. In Mexico City, restaurants only serve take-out food.
April 27, 2009
The WHO raises the level of pandemic alert from 3 to 4, meaning that there is human-to-human transmission able to sustain community-level outbreaks. There is a greater risk of a pandemic, but a pandemic is not a foregone conclusion.
The CDC issues a recommendation that US travelers avoid non-essential travel to Mexico.
An 5.6 magnitude earthquake hits central Mexico, centered near Chilpancingo, about 130 miles southwest of Mexico City, the quake is felt strongly in Mexico City and Acapulco.
April 26, 2009
The US government reports 20 laboratory confirmed human cases of swine influenza (8 in New York, 7 in California, 2 in Texas, 2 in Kansas and 1 in Ohio). (WHO)
Churches in Mexico City are closed and masses canceled.
April 25, 2009
WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan puts out the following statement: "The current situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. However, more information is needed before a decision could be made concerning the appropriateness of the current alert level."
In Mexico City museums are closed and cultural events are canceled.
April 24, 2009
In Mexico cases of "influenza-like-illness" are reported in three different regions of the country: the Mexico City area in which there are over 800 cases with 59 deaths; San Luis Potosi where there are 24 cases and 3 deaths; and Mexicali, Baja California where 4 cases have been reported, with no deaths.
Schools in Mexico City and the state of Mexico are closed to prevent the spread of the flu. Other measures taken include suspension of public massive activities and handing out of face masks in the metro and other public places. Soccer games held by the Mexican Football Federation take place without spectators.
April 23, 2009
Twenty Mexicans are reported dead from an "unknown respiratory illness." There are seven confirmed cases of swine flu in the US (in Texas and California).
April 13, 2009
In Oaxaca a 39 year-old woman dies of "atypical pneumonia" There is speculation that this is perhaps an outbreak of SARS or bird flu. Specimens are sent to labs in Mexico City and then on to Canada for testing.
Second half of March, 2009
Many inhabitants of the Perote valley in Veracruz suffer from acute respiratory problems. It is speculated that a large pig farm in the area could be the origin of the virus. A sample taken from 4-year-old Edgar Hernandez will later come back as positive for the swine flu virus. Further reading: Swine flu: four-year-old boy 'at centre of outbreak'
December 2005 to January 2009
At least 12 cases of swine influenza in the US, according to the CDC.
