WHO: We’re Looking at a Pandemic

The world is at imminent risk of a global outbreak of swine flu, the World Health Organization has just confirmed. The organization raised its pandemic alert to level five — the second highest level.

WHO says the phase 5 alert means there is sustained human to human spread in at least two countries. It also signals that efforts to produce a vaccine will be ramped up.

WHO has confirmed human cases of swine flu in Mexico, the United States, Canada, Britain, Israel, New Zealand and Spain. Mexico and the U.S. have reported deaths.

Not the best news all day.

First U.S. Swine Flu Death Confirmed

Here’s news we all could’ve lived without: The United States has confirmed the first death within its borders due to the H1N1 virus, better known as swine flu. A Mexico City boy just shy of his second birthday passed away after falling ill in Brownsville, Texas and seeking treatment at the Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.

France Asks EU To Suspend Flights to Mexico

France called on the EU to suspend travel to Mexico due to the increasing concern over the swine flu on Wednesday, but the body’s executive commission said it lacked the power to do so. Individual countries can choose to suspend travel on their own accord, but Reuters reports that the EU lacks authority to impose a member-wide ban.

Germany Confirms First Case of Swine Flu

Germany has just confirmed its first case of swine flu, BNO reports on Twitter.

Death Toll in Mexico Stabilizing?

This would certainly be good news if it continues. Mexico’s health secretary says that the death toll in Mexico appears to be stabilizing, with just 7 more suspected deaths. That’s still not great, especially considering that there are a total of 159 confirmed fatalities so far. But any slow down would hopefully be a good sign.

That being said, the flu continues spreading across the United States and elsehere. American health officials say they wouldn’t be surprised to find deaths related to the H1N1 virus and there is reportedly an increase in hospitalizations north of the border. Officials in nations such as Israel, New Zealand, Scotland, South Korea, and Spain have seen their own cases of swine flu infections.

Air Canada, WestJet Cancel Service to Mexico

WestJet Airlines and Air Canada are suspending trips to destinations in Mexico due to the growing concern over swine flu.

WestJet and WestJet Vacations service to Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta will cease on May 4th. Service to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta will resume on June 1st, while trips to Cancun won’t pick up again until fall.

Meanwhile, Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations service to Cancun, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta will be suspended until June 1st. Flights to Mexico City will apparently go ahead as planned.

The Latest Information

Okay, there’s a whole bunch of information on the wires right now. So you’re getting a mass update.

• Mexico has confirmed 152 deaths suspected to be due to the swine flu. 20 of those have been confirmed as resulting from the H1N1 virus.
• Up to 6,000 (yes, six thousand) are showing signs of the swine flu worldwide.
• 66 cases are confirmed in the United States; 13 are confirmed in Canada; 2 are confirmed in Scotland; 14 are confirmed in New Zealand; 2 are confirmed in Spain; and 2 are confirmed in Israel.
• While Argentina and Cuba have banned flights from Mexico, neither the United States nor the European Union has followed suit. The World Health Organization has not recommended the suspension of travel to or from affected countries.
• Nearly 12 million doses of the anti-viral Tamiflu have been released from America’s national stockpile and are en route to state authorities.
• Mexico has suspended all schools nationwide until May 6th. There are reports of multiple school closures across the United States.
• The World Bank is loaning Mexico an emergency sum of $200 million to handle the outbreak. Mexico City is still handing out surgical masks to the public, while President Felipe Calderone has assumed expanded powers in order to quarantine those affected.
• At least five have been hospitalized with swine flu in the United States. There are no confirmed deaths outside of Mexico, however.

End update.

Royal Caribben Joins Carnival In Canceling Mexican Port Stops

Three cruise lines (Royal Caribbean Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Norwegian Cruise Line) have suspended scheduled stops in Mexican ports due to the spreading swine flu. The World Health Organization has not yet called for a suspension of travel to North America.

Number of Suspected Flu Cases in Asia Rising

The number of suspected cases of swine flu in Asia has been rising over the past few hours, AFP reports. New Zealand is now looking at 14 individuals with the virus, while South Korea has reported about 12 individuals who may be infected.

Most of those reported in both countries have apparently recently returned from trips to the United States or Mexico.

Passengers Released from Plane Quarantined from Mexico

All 117 passengers have been released from an AirTran Airways flight that had been quarantined at a Maryland airport after two passengers reported feeling ill, the Associated Press reports. The flight had landed at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport after a flight from Cancun, Mexico.

The two men authorities were concerned with had reported nausea and fever but lacked other symptons consistent with swine flu. Having been analyzed by local authorities and found not to have the illness spreading the globe, the men were released.