 potential epidemic in mid-April.
Experts think that the new H1N1 virus—a hybrid of avian, porcine, and human influenza—originated in Mexico. However, the Mexican Government, has been keen to stress that unusual cases of influenza had been detected around the same time in both the USA and Mexico from the end of March onwards.
People wait to be checked for flu-like symptoms at Mexico City's Naval Hospital
Mexico City has been the epicentre of the A (H1N1) outbreak, but across the country, as of 0600 h GMT on May 4, there were 590 confirmed cases of infection, including 25 deaths, according to WHO.
Once the Mexican authorities declared a health alert on April 23, a flurry of measures primarily aimed at preventing people congregating in crowded spaces in Mexico City, were introduced over several days. Thousands of free face masks were handed out to the public. Crèches, schools, and universities were told to close their doors until May 6. Public events were cancelled and football matches played before empty stands. The city's 25 000 eateries were banned from serving all food apart from takeaways, and cinemas, gyms, bars, conference centres, and tourist sites were closed, in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus. Information booths and call centres were set up and screening rooms installed at Mexico City's international airport.
Government public awareness campaigns on the radio and television advise people with flu-like symptoms to stay at home and wash their hands well. This seems to be paying off. A local opinion poll said that 87% of Mexicans knew about the preventive measures implemented by the government, and that 84% believed the government has provided clear and sufficient information about the epidemic. Mexico City's 20 million residents have been taking government measures seriously. “While people have been complaining, they've been obeying the government's instructions”, said Julio Sotelo, commissioner of the National Institute of Health in Mexico City. “I would say there's fear but not public panic.”
As WHO raised its threat alert to level 5 on April 29, the mayor of Mexico City further stepped up measures. Local and federal government offices and private businesses “not fundamental” to the economy were ordered to suspend work for 5 days until May 5. Labour Secretary, Javier Lozano, urged employers to monitor their workers health and said they should isolate anyone showing up for work with signs of the influenza. Only essential businesses such as supermarkets, hospitals, and chemists were allowed to remain open.
Over the bank holiday weekend, Mexico City ground to a halt. Most citizens heeded President Calderon's advice. “Stay at home with your families. There is no safer place to avoid getting infected than in your own home”, he said during his first nationwide televised address on April 29 since the public health crisis erupted. The capital's normally gridlocked and smog filled avenues were traffic free and eerily silent. The last time Mexico City came to such a standstill was in the aftermath of the 1985 earthquake.
The Mexican Government is boosting its stockpile of antivirals. “We've been accumulating our stockpiles for the last 6 years, and while there's enough Tamiflu to go around, more is being imported”, explained Sotelo.
So far, the exact source of the outbreak remains a mystery. Un-confirmed rumours point to La Gloria, a dusty town in the southern Mexican state of Veracruz, where it is believed that 5-year-old Edgar Hernández became infected with the A (H1N1) virus in late March. Some local residents in La Gloria have blamed the nearby US-owned industrial pig farms for the outbreak of the disease. “This is just speculation”, said Sotelo. “We're working hard to find out the source of the outbreak.”
In Mexico City, the outbreak may be smaller than first feared. As testing continues, the number of confirmed cases has turned out to be far less than the 2500 suspected cases initially reported. “Apparently the rate of infection is not as widespread as we might have thought”, said Córdova on May 1.
So far