The cases in New York are linked to some St. Francis students who recently visited Mexico, with eight cases so far. Generally, the flu symptoms are fever, sore throat and aches and pains, with some of their relatives falling ill as well. The World Health Organization is concerned and says that it may be too late to avoid a sudden outbreak and that the strain has pandemic potential. Dr. Anne Schuchat, intern deputy director for the agency noted that, "We expect there to be a broader spectrum of disease here in the US." And further commented, "I do fear that we will have deaths here."
The US will begin screening travelers who appear to be ill, but no travel restrictions are currently issued. Officials are, however, handing out yellow cards at the airports, which outline signs and symptoms of the illness. In Mexico, the government has suspended all city activities for 10 days and is encouraging residents to wash their hands, avoid human contact with sick individuals and to wear surgical masks when in public. The virus has killed 86 people in Mexico and no deaths have been reported in the US so far. Americans are being urged to keep sick children home from school and to practice good hygiene to help eliminate further spread of the disease.
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