Update on the Swine Flu

Swine flu cases have topped the 1,000 mark.The UN's most senior health official has warned that a second wave of the virus, potentially,could be far worse. Mexico has raised it's confirmed swine flu total to 568 infected and 26 dead, although they say they see signs of the epidemic slowing. Mexican President Felipe Calderon said the epidemic, which has left the tourism industry on it's knees, has been contained and officials pledge to get businesses up and running again. Although some restaurants ,museums and religious centres have opened, nightclubs, cinemas and theatres have remained closed. They know the virus could return with a vengeance, but people need to return to normal.Calderon said,"We have been able to hold or at least reduce the rate of propagation of the virus to contain the epidemic."

In Britain another nine people are infected, seven of whom have not been to Mexico nor had any contact with someone who has.The country is preparing for worse.World Health Organization Chief, Margaret Chan announced that despite the continued spread it is not yet time to declare a pandemic. The virus is in twenty countries. "We are not at level six (pandemic) yet."Chan said the end of the flu season in the Northern Hemisphere means that a new or second wave of the virus could be more lethal, reflecting a pattern observed with the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic that killed up to 50 million people. Chan remarked that the virus's re-emergence would be the biggest outbreak the world has faced in the 21st century.

Diplomatic damage from the epidemic reverberated around the world when China placed dozens of Mexican nationals under quarantine last weekend,who showed no signs of the flu. Rumors of discrimination have been denied by Chinese officials.

Potugal is the latest to join the list of affected countries. The US confirmed 36 of the 50 states have cases of swine flu.

The latest fear being discussed around the world is that the 'swine flu' will combine with the 'avian flu' at the advent of the flu season (which is possible) and create an even more lethal virus. If that becomes a reality,ladies and gents,board up your windows and lock your doors and don't come out till it's over,because that one could be deadly.