Mexico City restricts thousands of public places over swine flu

Many governments around the world have begun to impose restrictions in hopes of limiting the spread of Swine Flu. A CNN story gives an update of cases and focuses on Mexico's new enforcement of restaurant closures and contemplation of transportation restrictions.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/28/swine.flu/index.html

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (CNN) -- About 35,000 public venues in Mexico City were shut down or told to serve only takeout meals Tuesday as officials tried to contain a deadly swine flu outbreak.

Concerned residents line up outside a pharmacy Monday in Mexico City, Mexico.
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Authorities ordered restaurants to serve only takeout food and mandated the closing of bars, clubs, theaters, pool halls, gyms, sport centers and convention halls until May 6, said Juan Jose Garcia Ochoa, a top city government official.

By early Tuesday, the swine flu outbreak in Mexico was suspected of causing 152 deaths and more than 1,600 illnesses, Mexico's health minister told reporters.

The World Health Organization said at least 104 cases have been confirmed worldwide, including 64 in the United States; 26 in Mexico -- of whom seven have died; six in Canada; three in New Zealand; two each in Spain and the United Kingdom; and one in Israel.

By Tuesday evening, WHO had not included 13 additional deaths reported in Mexico, eight additional cases reported in New Zealand and one additional case in Israel. The additional cases were confirmed by health officials in those countries.

In the United States, California, Indiana and Texas also reported additional cases not confirmed by the CDC. California health officials investigated two deaths for ties to the virus, but swine flu was ruled out in one case and "doesn't appear to be" the cause in the other, though lab results were pending, said Assistant Chief Ed Winter of the Los Angeles County coroner's department.

In California, where the CDC has confirmed 10 cases of swine flu, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency. The declaration will, among other things, let the state health department enter into contracts "to supplement extraordinary preventive measures being taken across the state," the governor's office said in a news release.

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http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/28/swine.flu/index.html