Developments on swine flu worldwide
By The Associated Press – 48 minutes ago
Key developments on swine flu outbreaks, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization and government officials:
_Deaths: 15 confirmed in Mexico and one confirmed in U.S., a toddler from Mexico who died in Texas.
_Confirmed sickened worldwide, 562: 343 in Mexico; 146 in U.S.; 35 in Canada; 13 in Spain; 10 in Britain; four each in Germany and New Zealand; two in Israel; one each in Switzerland, Austria, China, Denmark and the Netherlands. Mexico is no longer releasing "suspected" numbers; the number of suspected cases was 2,498 before the tally was halted.
_U.S. confirmed sickened, by state: 50 in New York; 28 in Texas; 18 in California; 16 in South Carolina; five in New Jersey; four each in Arizona and Delaware; three each in Indiana and Illinois; two each in Kansas, Colorado, Virginia, Michigan and Massachusetts; and one each in Ohio, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska and Nevada.
_About 400 schools close nationwide, with about 300 in Texas, 62 in Alabama, plus scattered closings in New York, California, South Carolina, Connecticut, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Arizona, Ohio, Utah, Washington state, Michigan, Maine, Maryland, Tennessee and Nebraska.
_The World Health Organization increases its tally of confirmed swine flu cases around the world to 331 Friday from 257 Thursday. By country: Mexico 156; U.S. 109; Canada 34; Spain 13; United Kingdom 8; Germany 3; New Zealand 3; Israel 2; Austria 1; Switzerland 1; Netherlands 1.
_Mexico's chief epidemiologist accuses the World Health Organization of being slow to respond to the country's warning. Dr. Miguel Angel Lezana said his center told a regional branch of WHO about a spike in illnesses April 16 but no action was taken until eight days later.
_The World Health Organization says it will stop using the term "swine flu" to avoid confusion over the danger posed by pigs. It will instead refer to the virus by its scientific name, "H1N1 influenza A."
_The Obama administration comes out against closing the U.S.-Mexico border. Vice President Joe Biden says it would be "a monumental undertaking" with limited benefit.
_White House says aide to Energy Secretary Steven Chu apparently got sick helping arrange President Barack Obama's recent trip to Mexico but never posed a risk to the president.
_Public health emergency declared in U.S.; millions of doses of Tamiflu from federal stockpile being delivered to states; U.S. buying more anti-flu drugs to replenish stockpile. CDC also shipping test kits to state labs so states can do their own testing.
_Scattered cancellations or postponements of sporting events in U.S., including all high school sports competitions in Texas and Alabama state track and field championships. Also canceled: Fort Worth's annual Mayfest, which usually attracts 200,000 people over four days.
On the Net:
CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
