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Countries on alert as swine flu spreads

MADRID/ Washington: Spain on Monday became the first nation outside North America to confirm a case of swine flu, and the European Union Health Commissioner urged Europeans to postpone nonessential travel to the United States and Mexico.

Meanwhile, the number of suspected swine flu cases in Mexico climbed to 1,614, including as many as 103 deaths, according to Mexican Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova. The United States has confirmed at least 20 cases of swine flu, and Canada six. World Health Organisation spokesman Peter Cordingley said the new virus was spreading quickly in Mexico and the southern United States, raising fears of a global pandemic.U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday urged Americans to remain calm in the face of a widening outbreak of swine flu, saying that the illness was a “cause for concern” but not alarm.The U.S. federal government has declared a health emergency.

Meanwhile, New Zealand was testing 13 students, their parents and teachers who were showing flu-like symptoms after returning from Mexico. Israel has put two people under observation, while France and Brazil have reported suspected cases.

Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines dusted off thermal scanners used during the 2003 SARS crisis and were checking for signs of fever among passengers arriving at airports from North America. South Korea and Indonesia introduced similar screening. — Agencies

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