">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Swine flu may return 'with 'a vengeance': WHO
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Search
Search:
Swine flu may return 'with 'a vengeance': WHO
AFP - 2 hours 52 minutes ago
MEXICO CITY (AFP) - - The World Health Organisation chief warned Monday that swine flu could return with a vengeance despite Mexico's President Felipe Calderon insisting his country has contained the epidemic.
ADVERTISEMENT
WHO chief Margaret Chan said that a second wave of the virus "would be the biggest of all outbreaks the world has faced in the 21st century", puncturing optimism emanating from the outbreak's epicentre .
Diplomatic damage from the epidemic also reverberated with China denying it had discriminated against Mexican nationals after dozens were placed under quarantine over the weekend despite showing no signs of the flu.
Twenty-five people have died from swine flu, according to the WHO, all but one of them in Mexico. Twenty-one countries have confirmed cases of the virus which has affected around 900 people.
Calderon said Mexico had managed "to contain the epidemic" and was now "in a position to overcome" the A(H1N1) virus.
Mexico's Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova said the epidemic peaked between April 23 and 28 and was "in its phase of decline".
But Chan said the end of the flu season in the northern hemisphere meant that while any initial outbreak could be milder, a second wave could be more lethal, reflecting a pattern seen with the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic that killed up to 50 million people.
"We hope the virus fizzles out, because if it doesn't we are heading for a big outbreak," Chan told the Financial Times in an interview, adding it could re-emerge in the months ahead "with a vengeance".
"I'm not predicting the pandemic will blow up, but if I miss it and we don't prepare, I fail. I'd rather over-prepare than not prepare."
The UN agency last week raised its alert level to five, one a scale of one to six, indicating a global pandemic is imminent.
In an interview with Spain's El Pais newspaper, Chan said it was important to avoid a "wave of panic" if the alert level was raised to the maximum six, adding that such a move would not mean "the end of the world".
More countries are confirming cases every day with Portugal the latest to join the list, while France announced two new confirmed cases as did Italy, doubling its previous caseload.
Japan tripled the number of quarantine officers at Tokyo's Narita airport to try to detect cases at the start of a holiday week.
In the United States, the only other country to have recorded a death from the virus, officials said 30 of the 50 states had now confirmed cases.
US Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius echoed Chan's warning that the real test would come when the winter flu season hits.
"Even if this current situation seems to be lessening, if we are cautiously optimistic, we really don't know what's going to happen when real flu season hits (together) with H1N1 virus," she told CBS television.
In China, centre of the 2003 SARS outbreak, authorities have been accused of discriminating against Mexicans in a bid to keep out the virus.
Although no case of swine flu has been reported on mainland China, one Mexican who stayed in a hotel in Hong Kong has tested positive.
A Mexican embassy official in Beijing said nearly 70 Mexicans had been quarantined across China including in Beijing, Shanghai and the southern city of Guangzhou even though they had no flu symptoms.
China's foreign ministry said in a statement: "The relevant measures are not directed at Mexican citizens and are not discriminatory."
Russia's food safety agency meanwhile extended a ban on all meat imports to a fourth US state and banned pork products from Spain and parts of Canada.
The veterinary and food safety agency announced the extension despite an appeal by the United States, Canada, Mexico that there was no scientfic justification.
Egypt also pushed ahead with a mass slaughter of the country's quarter of a million pigs, a day after clashes erupted with protesting pig farmers.
Police were deployed in force around the Cairo slum district of Manshiyet Nasr where hundreds of residents, mostly Coptic Christian rubbish recyclers, on Sunday fought running battles with police firing tear gas and rubber bullets.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
0 users recommend
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Nepal's prime minister resigns amid power struggleAP - 1 hour 52 minutes ago
Laos insists trial of UK woman will be fairAP - 2 hours 35 minutes ago
Swine flu may return 'with 'a vengeance': WHOAFP - 2 hours 54 minutes ago
Deadly clashes in NW Pakistan as peace deal unravelsAFP - Tuesday, May 5
China denies discriminating against MexicansAFP - Tuesday, May 5
Enlarge Photo
Swine flu may return 'with 'a vengeance': WHO
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
GM could follow Chrysler into bankruptcy: analysts
Swine flu in decline: Mexico
Kenyan women to sex-starve men -- for politics
Citigroup may need $10 bln more: report
Father rejects Madonna's adoption bid: report
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Monday, 4 May 2009 Nepal government wobbles over army chief's sacking
| International
|
Iraq rules out extension of U.S. withdrawal dates
| International
|
France captures 11 suspected Somali pirates
| International
|
Wolverine slashes rivals in $160 million global bow
| Entertainment
|
Angels & Demons director sees Vatican meddling
| Entertainment
|
Mexico breathes easier in flu epidemic
| International
|
Pentagon chief to reassure Saudis on Iran outreach
Australia delays carbon trade, may toughen target
| International
|
Iraq rules out extension of U.S. withdrawal dates
Karzai signs up for Afghan poll, names running mates
| International
|
Former Israeli premier faces prostate cancer
Nepal president defies Maoists over sacked army head
| International
|
Fiat boss unveils plans for European car giant: FT
Supermarket tycoon wins Panama election
| International
|
Swine flu in decline: Mexico
Indian communists face farmer backlash in election
| International
|
Venezuela military helicopter crash kills 17
| International
|
In crisis more Russian men want talk, not sex
| International
|
China quake survivors face intimidation, detention: Amnesty
| International
|
NY Times Co. threatens Boston Globe shutdown
Report: Senators seek answers on KBR overcharges
Syria's Assad urges US to talk to Hamas, Hezbollah
US flu tally jumps to 245 as labs catch up
Berlusconi's wife wants divorce: reports
John Edwards faces federal investigation
Czechs, Slovak killed in Austrian Alps avalanche
Alaska volcano shows increased unrest
Jackson says NAACP must help save auto industry
Craigslist founder helps memorialize murder victim
Season of tragedy ending at Sierra ski community
21 dead in India as bus falls into river
21 dead as bus falls into river in India
Obama to meet Afghan and Pakistan leaders
Jenny McCarthy inks deal with Winfrey's Harpo
| Entertainment
|
Nepal in crisis over attempts to fire army chief
NBC renews Medium
| Entertainment
|
At least 20 dead as storm batters Philippines
IFC Films hearts Valentine's Day
| Entertainment
|
Amnesty says China quake survivors face intimidation, detention
Green Day tests new ground on way to Breakdown
| Entertainment
|
Storms leave 20 dead in Philippines
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
ADB head: Asia must tackle poverty, climate change
China denies targeting Mexicans
New Zealand slump may have deepened, job market weakens
Nepal row flares after army chief sacked
ADB sees 'mild recovery' next year
Hollywood Wax Museum auctions wax celebs
Firmer won, earnings draw funds back to S.Korea
Korea Hot Stocks-Retailers, shipbuilders, Hyundai Steel up
KKR in talks on buying AB InBev unit in SKorea
China bans pork imports from Alberta: govt
Taiwan dollar surges on China ties, global outlook
Hollywood Wax Museum auctions wax celebs
S.Korea govt bonds slide after export, CPI data
No butts: China orders officials to smoke
Seoul shares open higher, financials lead gains
Saddam gets stamp of disapproval from Iraqi show
Jenny McCarthy inks deal with Winfrey's Harpo
Pete Seeger turns 90 with birthday concert in NYC
China's Mongols see bleak future for their culture
Ron Howard movie `Parenthood' reborn as NBC series
CBS launches unprecedented ad campaign
Ron Howard: Vatican obstructed 'Angels & Demons'
The films that highlighted this year's Tribeca
Vatican plays down differences before Israel trip
Pakistan battles Taliban
| International
|
Wave of attacks in south Afghanistan kill 29
Berlin studies request to take Guantanamo prisoners
| International
|
Attacks kill 20 in southern Afghanistan
Israel's Peres omits mention of Palestinian state
| International
|
European economy to shrink four percent
Iran says U.S. sanctions will not halt nuclear work
Berlusconi rejects patch-up with wife, seeks apology
| International
|
Spanish judge to probe deadly Israeli raid on Gaza
Fiat plans new global car giant
Eritrea sick of Somalia arms accusations
| International
|
Madonna launches appeal against adoption rejection
Taylor's request for war crimes acquittal rejected
| International
|
Obama outreach to Muslims worries Israelis
Greek scandal vote may force snap election
| International
|
Court okays breast removal for transsexual teen: report
Afghan suicide attack kills seven, including mayor
Venezuelan capital jolted by 5.3 earthquake
| International
|
Afghan leader heads to US for anti-terror summit
Australia delays emissions trading
New York Times Co wields axe over Boston Globe
Chad and Sudan agree to halt attacks
Climate change 'cultural genocide' for Aborigines
HP and RIM form alliance on BlackBerry
| Technology
|
EU urges Internet governance revamp
| Technology
|
Journalist group: US reporter hospitalized in Iran
EU urges Internet governance revamp
Obama to crack down on business taxes
4 dead in Fla. family slaying; teen son escapes
Buffett sees end to recession, uncertain on timing
Inmates vying for coal mining jobs in Appalachia
The Nation's Weather
French forces 'killed pirate hostage' off Somalia
Storms, possible tornadoes hit South; 1 killed
Obama to attend Cinco de Mayo event on May 4
Colorado lawmakers mount up to see effects of laws
Swine flu may return 'with 'a vengeance': WHO
More court review set for '04 Janet Jackson flash
| Entertainment
|
Deadly clashes in NW Pakistan as peace deal unravels
Madonna's adoption case in Malawi adjourned
| Entertainment
|
China denies discriminating against Mexicans
Wolverine slashes rivals in debut
| Entertainment
|
Indonesia's anti-corruption chief arrested
Pakistan battles Taliban as pact hangs in balance
Asia Pacific countries start disaster drills
Indonesia police detain anti-graft boss over murder
NKorea says Obama administration same as Bush's
Pakistan peace deal under fire amid attacks
Nepal's prime minister resigns
Pakistan targets 80 bln rupees in T-bill auction
Taiwanese tycoon challenges Buffett's investment
AIG close to selling building to Japanese company
Taiwanese tycoon challenges Buffet's investment
Tech-savvy Japanese on holiday tinker with robots
Taiwan inflows surge on warming China ties
Nintendo on roll on Wii, but cautious on high yen
China triples wind power capacity goal: report
`Twilight,' `Slumdog' lead MTV award nominees
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Author sees A-Rod as insecure, needing to please
B'way ticket availability through Sunday, May 10
Paternity dispute erupts in Madonna adoption case
New Orleans Jazz Fest 40th year riffs on old, new
US-TECH Summary
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights