The World Health Organization has raised the alert level for the swine flu to 5, which is the next to highest level in the warning system. To date, there are 91 confirmed cases in 10 states, which are up from 64 cases in 5 states. Wednesday came with the death of the first swine flu victim, a 23-month-old child from Mexico who was receiving treatment in Houston, Texas. The WHO is now calling this outbreak a pandemic and says that it will be tracking it very closely.
President Obama televised a news conference yesterday and alerted Americans to wash their hands when shaking hands and to cover their mouths when they cough. He also urged people who are sick to stay home and not send sick children to school. If you do feel sick, he is asking that you do not get on an airplane. President Obama is also urging Americans to come up with a contingency plan in case of school closings due to the illness. Right now, public health officials are recommending that schools close if there are more confirmed cases.
Mexico has already sprung into action and has closed all non-essential offices, but was asking that pharmacies and grocery stores stay open. Secretary of Health, Jose Angel Cordova is urging all citizens to stay home. The number of confirmed cases there has risen to 99 and the number of deaths is now 8 from the swine flu. Two thirds of all cases have been reported in people under the age of 18. Some elected officials are grilling Janet Napolitano, Homeland Security Secretary, about the agency’s decision to not close the borders to help reduce the spread of the virus from Mexico. John McCain and Joseph Lieberman where among the officials doing the questioning, but so far, all borders remain open.
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