FLU DEVELOPMENTS

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.

Sickened: 26 confirmed in Mexico, with up to 2,498 people showing symptoms; 68 confirmed in U.S.; 13 confirmed in Canada; two confirmed in Scotland; 14 confirmed in New Zealand; two confirmed in Spain; and two confirmed in Israel.

Confirmed U.S. cases, by state: 45 in New York, 13 in California, six in Texas, two in Kansas and one each in Indiana and Ohio, according to CDC and states.

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.

Cuba bans flights to and from Mexico; Argentina suspends flights from Mexico; U.S., European Union, other countries discourage nonessential travel there.

Mexico suspends all schools until May 6. In U.S., some schools closed in New York City, Texas, California, South Carolina, Connecticut and Ohio.

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 alert at Phase 4 of 6, meaning disease spreads easily but isn’t pandemic.

On the Net: CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/