WHO to coordinate response to swine flu crisis
Strains of the Mexican flu virus have been detected in the US
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Saturday, 25, Apr 2009 07:41
The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has flown to Geneva to initiate measures to stop the global spread of a deadly virus.
Over 60 people have died in Mexico from a type of flu-like illness usually seen in pigs. Eight people have been infected by the disease in California and Texas - raising fears that the strain was spreading.
Speaking about the measures being taken, WHO spokesman Thomas Abraham said: "We are very, very concerned. We have what appears to be a novel virus and it has spread from human to human. It's all hands on deck at the moment."
In Mexico, schools and buildings have been closed in a bid to control the spread of the virus. Authorities have confirmed that the strain of the virus affecting eight people in the US is identical to that in Mexico.
The virus has caused no deaths in the US so far.