Midland farmers dismiss fears deadly Mexico 'pig flu' could hit UK
Apr 26 2009 by Ben Goldby, Sunday Mercury
AN OUTBREAK of swine fever has killed more than 60 people in Mexico, prompting national panic amid fears of a global pandemic.
Tests show 68 people in the Central American state have died from a new strain of “pig flu”, with over 1,000 more cases confirmed by Mexico’s Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova.
Last night, the head of the World Health Organisation warned of a potential international crisis.
WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said the outbreak involves “an animal strain of the H1N1 virus, and it has pandemic potential.’’
The global health body has advised countries around the world to look out for similar outbreaks following the discovery of related strains on both sides of the Mexico-United States border.
The same virus is believed to have infected at least eight people in Texas and California, although there have been no deaths in the US.
The outbreak has led to widespread school closures, cancellation of public events and border restrictions in Mexico as authorities try to halt the spread of the disease.
Meanwhile, Midland farmers have reassured the public that there is no danger from British meat.
They say the domestic pig farming industry will not be affected by the Mexican outbreak.
Barney Kay, from the Warwickshire-based National Pig Association, said: “This looks like a human health issue in Mexico and the United States, and we don’t know where it has come from, or how it is spread at this stage.
Victims
“But we don’t import any meat or breeding animals from Mexico and there’s nothing to suggest anything like this in Europe, let alone Britain. At the moment it is not an issue for the Midland pig industry.”
The Mexican outbreak is thought to be particularly serious as deaths have occurred in at least four regions of the country, and because the victims have been young healthy adults, rather than vulnerable infants and pensioners.
Authorities in the capital Mexico City carried out a sweeping shutdown of public places yesterday, urging people to stay home if they feel sick and to avoid shaking hands or kissing.
President Felipe Calderon said his government only discovered the nature of the virus late on Thursday, with the help of international laboratories. “We are doing everything necessary,” he said.
But the government had said for days that its growing flu caseload was nothing unusual, leaving many Mexicans angry and confused.
“Why did it break out, where did it break out? What’s the magnitude of the problem?” said pizzeria owner David Vasquez, who was taking his family out to the cinema, despite government warnings to stay indoors.
The infection control measures have even hit Mexico’s football fixtures. Two sold-out football matches scheduled for today – Pumas v Chivas and America v Tecos – will be played in empty stadia to prevent the spread of the disease.
And last night Mexico health workers were staffing the international airport, as well as bus and underground stations, handing out masks and trying to steer away anyone who appeared to be ill.
Apr 26 2009 by Ben Goldby, Sunday Mercury
AN OUTBREAK of swine fever has killed more than 60 people in Mexico, prompting national panic amid fears of a global pandemic.
Tests show 68 people in the Central American state have died from a new strain of “pig flu”, with over 1,000 more cases confirmed by Mexico’s Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova.
Last night, the head of the World Health Organisation warned of a potential international crisis.
WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said the outbreak involves “an animal strain of the H1N1 virus, and it has pandemic potential.’’
The global health body has advised countries around the world to look out for similar outbreaks following the discovery of related strains on both sides of the Mexico-United States border.
The same virus is believed to have infected at least eight people in Texas and California, although there have been no deaths in the US.
The outbreak has led to widespread school closures, cancellation of public events and border restrictions in Mexico as authorities try to halt the spread of the disease.
Meanwhile, Midland farmers have reassured the public that there is no danger from British meat.
They say the domestic pig farming industry will not be affected by the Mexican outbreak.
Barney Kay, from the Warwickshire-based National Pig Association, said: “This looks like a human health issue in Mexico and the United States, and we don’t know where it has come from, or how it is spread at this stage.
Victims
“But we don’t import any meat or breeding animals from Mexico and there’s nothing to suggest anything like this in Europe, let alone Britain. At the moment it is not an issue for the Midland pig industry.”
The Mexican outbreak is thought to be particularly serious as deaths have occurred in at least four regions of the country, and because the victims have been young healthy adults, rather than vulnerable infants and pensioners.
Authorities in the capital Mexico City carried out a sweeping shutdown of public places yesterday, urging people to stay home if they feel sick and to avoid shaking hands or kissing.
President Felipe Calderon said his government only discovered the nature of the virus late on Thursday, with the help of international laboratories. “We are doing everything necessary,” he said.
But the government had said for days that its growing flu caseload was nothing unusual, leaving many Mexicans angry and confused.
“Why did it break out, where did it break out? What’s the magnitude of the problem?” said pizzeria owner David Vasquez, who was taking his family out to the cinema, despite government warnings to stay indoors.
The infection control measures have even hit Mexico’s football fixtures. Two sold-out football matches scheduled for today – Pumas v Chivas and America v Tecos – will be played in empty stadia to prevent the spread of the disease.
And last night Mexico health workers were staffing the international airport, as well as bus and underground stations, handing out masks and trying to steer away anyone who appeared to be ill.
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