This is the first time that happen something like this in this contry, i'm from the north of Mexico and only the news said here only a person was affected by this swine flu.
"Ni Misas" means "There's no Worship today and..." Mexico city it's a Nigthmare now.

My prayers go out to this people, and hope that this Virus get under control.

Mexico city is unusally quiet and people is staying at home since Saturday. There is a big concern across my neigthborthood. We don not really know how dangerours could be during next week.

Streets are empty, nobody wants to get infected and there is a kind of self isolation effort.

Our comunity church suspended service and is broadcasting live trough internet. We are waiting to know what will happen tomorrow at offices and factories since we need to keep the productive chain moving in order to avoid further complications. We are expecting, lisening to media broadcast for breaking news and trusting God that He will support in this moments.

i am mexican citizent, despite there are a lot of negative news about this problem in Mexico City, i will tell you that it is not that bad...

We hope the swine flu could be controlled and not expand more places of Mexico or other countries. Good luck!

I think people should get interested in learning the true facts about what the government is doing and not just speak without hard facts. In my opinion the President is taking all the correct steps. It is much better to be safe than to run the risk of all these measurements being called exagerated.

I do not think that you should publish the coment about people diying in 48 hours. People are very scared and if you do not have that information confirm it is irreponsable to publish it.

It is incredible to see how this virus has affected our city. We are no longer looking for criminal with guns in the streets, but for people who sneeze.

In contrast to the direct command by God in the Bible, to refrain from eating the pig(and so desist from doing anything with the animal), Mexico (for this particular example) surely "reaps well what it sowed".

Its sad to see a totally waste of religious zeal, to believe in so much "pagan" practices, and to believe in Paul (and his epistles of deception)

PEOPLE THAT GOT SICK ARE SAYING THEY HAD NO CONTACT WITH PIGS, HAS THE GOVERMENT OF MEXICO TESTED IT'S WATER? IF NOT... THEY SHOULD, IT IS A KNOWN FACT THAT VIRUSE'S LIVE IN WATER.

if everone is scared this is gonna be an outbreak. why is the airports still open in and out of mexico and the united states?? to avoid such an out break everything should be shut down. how many more fatalitys will the countrys allow before something is done

I hear in the TV that the first victim was a chinese doctor (Dr. Chen) who work in a hospital in Mexico City.
The news reporter said he come to Mexico City with the ilness and he stay in Los Angeles before arrive to the City.

PEOPLE THAT GOT SICK ARE SAYING THEY HAD NO CONTACT WITH PIGS, HAS THE GOVERMENT OF MEXICO TESTED IT’S WATER? IF NOT… THEY SHOULD, IT IS A KNOWN FACT THAT VIRUSE’S LIVE IN WATER.
WEARING MASK IS NOT GOING TO PROTECT YOU, BECAUSE IF YOU TOUCH A DOOR NOB OR SOMETHING YOU THEN RUB YOUR EYES AND CONTRACT THE VIRUS. SO I THINK THAT WASHING YOUR HANDS OFTEN IS THE BEST THING TO DO.

MY MESSAGE TO THE MEN OF THE WORLD, WASH YOUR HANDS WHEN YOU TWINKLE ALSO.

Stop eating pigs.

We are praying for you,you are not alone in this crisis.our hearts are reaching out to you.God is merciful.may his mercy come true upon you and your families,friends,colleagues and neighbours-port elizabeth,r.s.a

this is a very frightening situation and they should seal entrance to and from infected areas for example cancel all flights to and from mexico

Ted Rowlands:

I am very disappointed with the picture you have chosen to portray Mexico City. I lived in Mexico City for almost 13 years and I can say that is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been, and I have been in many. Mexico is living a difficult time in the moment and the last thing it needs is a bad reputation, something American media has done successfully. In other international media they don't portray Mexico as an "ugly" "poor" city, it seems that only Americans do Mexico City this favor. I would really appreciate you change the picture for a nicer one. Its like going to NYC and only taking pictures of the Bronx. Thank you.

J. Stahl

I've booked a holiday to cancun for the end of may, should I not go because of the "Swine flu" outbreak?

This swine flu virus that is spreading Is actually very frightening. I know it is associated with pigs but how did it begin? Where the pigs eating something they shouldn’t have? Why is the media in Mexico saying that the swine flu originated from the United States? And the United States media is telling us it originated from Mexico? What is going on here? Is the Mexican government trying to lie to their own person that is insane! I’ve seen the images, the news of what is going on in Mexico it is very hard to watch and to see how people where making lines to get the masks and how the schools are closing even business. The people can’t even do anything they are almost like prisoners in their own country. This is very serious and how people diagnosed with the sickness die within 72 hours every day the number of deaths is growing. Can they stop this new virus? This swine flu is already in Texas, California, and New York and in Canada? It is almost as if it is spreading around the edges of the country first before it starts going through the countries in the middle. I cannot believe they even closed the church today and had signs no mass on Sunday? This is extreme people are scared but they are taking this virus serious as they should. Are they going to cancel flights to go in and out from Mexico? Or close the border line from California to Mexico vise versa so this disease won’t spread out more than it already had. Today to Mexican soccer teams played off to qualify for the Mexican cup. Two very popular teams Chivas and Pumas and the field in Mexico where always the people cheered and screamed and always with music and drums and there flag that they held with pride, today this stadium was silent not a single person in the stands not a single sound not a single drum only the screams of the players that we could never hear before we could hear loud and clear on the television. This is very sad.

We are very concerned in Guatemala about this swine flu because we are very close to Mexico

ITS DRAMATIC THE SITUATION IN MEXICO........PLEASE TELL US THE TRUTH,,,,,,,

I was reading some news about some animals that died for some virus in the last months, here are some:

http://noticias.cuarto-poder.com.mx/4p_apps/periodico/pag.php?MjUxOTM%3D
http://sobrelanoticia.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/por-gripe-aviar-las-autoridades-sanitarias-sacrifican-mas-de-mil-gallos/
http://epistheme-tonydemoya.blogspot.com/2008_03_01_archive.html

I wonder if this has anything in common with the swine influenza recently

I am traveling next friday from Mexico City to Austrialia via Los Angeles. Should I worry?

lets just do all we can to keep tourist from coming to mexico guys ( give me a break )

Is it possible that in mexico we are dying because we are prone to self medicate ourselves and not go to the doctor until we are very ill? Maybe we are getting to the hospitals when it is too late. I can imagine the following: I fall ill, go to the drugstore and ask for medication to mitigate symtoms, they don't go away, take something else, and when I am really ill go to the hospital when it's too late. People in mexico consult drugstores instead of doctors many times for economic reasons and tradition.
the opposite happens in the USA you go right away to the hospital and therefore you are saved and not die.
Is there someone out there that agrees with me?

Mexican authorities must declare health emergency all around the country to prevent flu spreading..... We know people travel and go from one place to another so, the risk to spread the disease is high.

May GOD bless America on this serious and terrible situation.

My understanding is that the flu originates in the US and that it spread quickly in Mexico City's dense population.

"Carla also said she thought the “swine flu” originated from the United States. We’ve heard the same story from several other people who say they heard that from the Mexican media."
Wow...

hi, I´m a university teacher in Pachuca Hidalgo (45 minutes from Mexico City) Here all the schools are closed, we will have to stay at home for the next 4 or 5 days with our children by request of the Governor, but we are concern about the lack of drugs to treat the virus, we have been told to go to the IMSS or any other public hospital in case of having the symptoms but, the medicine, vaccines or drugs to treat the virus are not available on any drugstore. Some teachers from Mexico City told us that there have been 1000 deads in one single hospital from the ISSSTE, but these numbers have remained in secret in order to not alarm the people. Do you think that can be possible?

One of the very first persons to die was hosting and introducing to the President Obama the most important mexican museum while he was in Mexico City last week. Is it a coincidence that one in 25 million persons who live in Mexico City died and was the very same whom was close to the President...

Could it be a mere coinsidence ? or some one with a negative interest could have started this problem?... Is just a question...

I'm 17 years old and live in Mexico City. From what I've been through this past week its mainly workers and policemen who are wearing masks and actually look afraid. Although the city's streets are empty, as well as restaurants and shops, I don't think there is a huge concern amongst the population, at least me and my friends-as well as my friends' families- aren't making a fuss over this. We just enjoy the closing of schools until the 6th of May and party more.
Despite our lack of concern, I do feel unsure about the numbers released by the Mexican government. How can 11 million children miss school over 68 deaths? I know 68 is a lot but I don't see the proportion here. I'm more afraid of the information that is being kept from us than of the actual virus.
I know people who are better connected than most people and I've heard from their family and acquaintances who have high positions at the main hospitals that its not 68 but thousands. But still, where are all the bodies? I realize there cannot be a panic, yet the lie is seriously rescented and I believe speculation is just as bad.

"Swine Flu" originated in America? I've looked up and down my block but can't see agricultural land anywhere within 100 miles....

On the other hand, I hear that many, many people are coming down with swine flu in Mexico.

Where is the Mexican media getting it's information?

Here in Mexico, we are following very closely this situation. We perceive that something serious is happening because strange things are happening: It is the first time that in recent times masses have been suspended in all churches in Mexico City (since 1927, in that occasion because of religious persecution), three soccer matches held without public, restaurants, museums... closed! People walking with surgical masks. I only hope we are receiving the information we deserve as citizens and dwellers of this beautuful planet. Anyway we feel confident that these extreme measures will prevent the spread of the virus here in Mexico and all over the world.

Hi.
I am a man living in Mexico City, 26 years old business person.

I think the Mexican government´s taking action is way too late.
If there were already some signals or suspected cases over this month, in that moment they should have announced to their nation and taken some actions right away.
But they didn´t.

I, I believe majority of residence of the city, knew something was weird as late as in Friday afternoon from someone´s wind, even though it is said that the secretary had announced in Thursday late night.

It seems the government whose function is supposed to protect and better its nation´s lives, is not working as it should be.
Now because of that, people are loosing thier unregainable lives.

Unfortunately most people here do not practice good hygiene as they do in the US. I've lived here for 4 years and I seem to be the only one who uses warm water to wash my hands and wash dishes. Most families only turn the water heater on when they are going to bathe. Children share drinks with others and aren't usually taught to cover their mouth when they sneeze or cough. Ironically I tend to get sick more frequently than everyone else around me as I am not used to the bacterias like they are. People are scared here, there is a lot of tension, but they don't seem to grasp that they need to change some of their habits to prevent illness. I think that schools should be required to teach and enforce good hygiene so that the kids learn and can pass that on to their parents.

Im living the situation, i live in the northern part of mexico, and i think the media is to be blamed for the people's fear and the government for the outbreak of the disease, they dont even know how to handle this situation.

The government should be more aggressive and contain the flu,also to give detail of the source this is important.

Yes, it is known that the virus came from Texas originally.

There are known cases in the U. S. and no one is being clear on that.

The people that have died in Mexico are older, with other health problems or very limited resources to health care.

Another problem for Mexico originated from the United States.

This is a potentially serious problem, but I've heard that 36,000 Americans die every year of regular seasonal flu. In perspective this is not as yet a pandemic. When Toronto was hit by SARS years ago, the world shut Toronto down and 4,000 people died then. These precautions taken now are the way to avoid a virus becoming a pandemic.

If my memory is correct, more Americans are killed every week by drunk drivers and no one even talks about that.

As someone who lived happily for 32 years in Mexico, I am deeply sadenned by this current outbreak. How much more can Mexico take? It has also been reported that the illness originated in tainted meat from China that entered the US. Since it failed to pass health inspections, it was dumped on Mexico. It would not be the first time something like this has happened. Go to any market in Mexico and you will see poor people buying up expired merchandise and other foods that failed to meet US standards. The people feel they are getting a deal because it is from "el otro lado." It is so sad. Please pray for Mexico!

Hopefully, this is the best way to control the inflection. Everyone has to be patient to stay home for a while. While officers are trying to get the virus in control. Just following the construction... Everything will be better soon. Wish you all save...

I have heard that in Mexico, younger people are more prone to die from this than older individuals. Can anyone confirm this?

If true, why would a younger individual more likely die from this flu than someone in their 60's or 70's?

IAN, are you serious. What planet do you live on that you don't hear about drunk driving deaths in America? I really don't think it is possible to watch a news program and NOT hear mention of a drunk driver, or ride programs, or M.A.D.D. commercials. Use your head before you post on a blog and try to stay within the blog headline which is a serious issue that people are dying from daily.

The WHO has identified the starting point, the original patients, and the virus' path out of Mexico and into the US, CA, and points beyond, down to flight manifests.

Please stop making up information, people. Tracing pathology is not as complex as you think. Containing and anticipating is more difficult as they look to stop the spread.

WE ARE LIVING IN HARD TIMES, THE ONLY POSITIVE THING ABOUT THIS FLU IS THAT FAMILIES ARE GETTING CLOSER AND THINKING OF EACH OTHER MORE. I HOPE THIS FLU IS STOPPED

The best way to face sitations like this is to share acurate information and dont spread gossip. This is a serius health issue and I ask everyone to only talk about facts, dont spread fear.

I am a US Ex-Pat living and working here in Mexico City. The school I work at has been closed until May 6th along with all other public and private schools in the city. It has been very surreal to be in the center of this and to see a people who are normally so warm and quick to embrace, be stand- offish and isolated.

It is a strange and sad circumstance and I look forward to when this eventually fades away.

Mexico City is not a nightmare and I dont really think we are prisioners in our own country. It all depends who you are speaking to.
There is a self isolation effort but that doesn't keep me from studying at Starbucks except than at home.

People of the world: DONT PANIC!

I think canceling holidays for the following 2 weeks is sensible but canceling your Cancun holiday for the end of May is something you should really decide after the 15th of May. Come on.
And yes, the media from the USA (not America since that is a continent) do a seriously awesome job at portraying this beautiful, cosmopolitan city as a desolate town so thank you for that you should be ashamed of yourselves!

A general problem here in Mexico is there is no (or very little in operational sense) freedom of the press so what info we get from national media comes with political intent - Maria above – its really silly to blame USA for all Mexico problems! We need information here, not blame and recriminations. 110 dead in such a huge metropolis is really not such a huge number statistically of course this means little to their friends and families. What´s worrisome is how many people travel by bus and plane – how many were infected awhile ago – my friend´s baby was sick 2 wks ago in San Antonio, they seemed to pick up a virus on their bus trip up. We just live in a vastly connected world and have to hope the governments do their best to contain this.

Let's see here. The Mexican drug problem is Americas fault, the Mexican gun problem is America's fault, now the swine flu is America's fault. Hey Mexico here's an idea. Why don't you close your borders with the US? Just slam it shut and no traffie either way. That would solve a lot of porblems on BOTH sides of the border.

As always bad news from Mexico travels fast. I live in Mexico City and things are not really that bad Aside from the mask wearing people you see now and then on the streets (mainly government workers) everything seems just fine,,,, wait, not true my son does not have school so it is really a nightmare. We are over 20 million people. I would guess many people die from viruses every day; aids, pneumonia end others.

has anybody searched what happened in 1918 when a swine flu hit the planet earth? %40 of all human population got sick and %5 of all population couldn't survive. I remember that in a docementary some scientist went to somewhere in canada or somewhere north where corpses buried never decease because of very low temperatures all year long. he took a virus sample from a body there from a grave dated 1918..

get your precaution. make your plans a, b c and get ready..something big may be on the threshold...

I am a US citizen and have been working in mexico city for the last 4 weeks. Our company cancelled our return trip to mexico city this week to let the situation get under control. Before friday the 24th we were not aware of any flu but we did see a few people with masks on. On our way to the airport we heard on the radio that schools will be shut for at least a week.
We almost decided to continue our scheduled trip because of how normal things seemed before the US media picked up the story. Information is powerful and it helped our company make a better descison to delay our trip.

Maria, (or anyone else), can you give me the link to the exact article that says the swine flu originated in the U.S.? It doesn't really matter where it started, except when people start to throw accusations without knowing the facts. If you can show me the link, then I will considered myself to be educated on the matter, since I am new to all this media coverage of the swine flu. Maria, I question your statement only because you add in "another problem for Mexico from the United States." It just shows your bias/resentment.

If you look at the rest of the CNN articles, the U.S. does acknowledge the known cases, but haven't 81+ people died in Mexico? I find it hard to believe that no one has died in the U.S. if it originated here. Or perhaps this is really due to hygiene habits, as some people have said.

I think it is very good that we have the technology and knowledge to see the outbreak as soon as it happens so we can be as ready as we can. The best thing for areas with suspected cases to not leave homes and to take this seriously,

OK people, lets have some words of wisdom, not fear. Here is what to keep in mind:
1. Swine flu can not be contracted by eating pork products, so lets save the bible jargon about the evil of pigs.
2. Viruses such as this are spread through contact, both physical and arial, so be hygenic...wash your hands, cover your mouth when sneezing, etc.
3. Avoid crowded areas if possible. Wear masks if you need to.
4. If you start having symptoms, don't wait, go get checked out by a doctor.
5. Don't panic, think rationally, be smart...it is pointless to worry about where the virus came from or things of this nature, let the CDC and WHO worry about that, concern yourself with living healthy.

There is more going on here than meets the eye. Not that I necessarily know what that is , but the general concensus here is that the government knows a lot more than what is being told to the public.

I would hate to see this get into some sort of cocaine manufacture/delivery/etc. and all the dealers selling tainted cocaine on the streets of the USA, it would never be controlled. Since nobody can control the drugs, what makes the government they can control an air-borne virus ????

Steve
Pilsen, Czech Republic

why do muslims not eat pork?

Hi,

One reason so many people have died is that originally there was a lack of knowledge of the symptoms of this particular variant of the FLU. The illness can start out with symptoms uncommon for a FLU like diarreah and nausea. There are a couple of reported cases where people showed up at the doctor with stomach aches and the doctors gave them medicines for that, and sent them home. Later on the patients developed other FLU-like symptoms, but it was too late to treat them successfully.

From the news it is apparent that several cases were observed earlier during the month, but Health authorities did not pay enough attention to those cases. Now they are being overcautions which is the right way to go. Local News are spending most of their time announcing the measures dictated by the Health authorities, and people seems to be following those measures: a lot of people staying at home, people on the streets wearing face-masks, etc. With the level of attention being paid, we hope that the FLU does not spread much further than what it already has.

poor pigs ... I guess that somebody need to point his finger to something ... like always, there is something big going on and all the fault goes on animals ...
Why we don't ask those people that are working on chimical research what the hell are they doing ?????? All those things make me feel sick ! Why can't we live normaly ??? All those chimical test, new flu, new cancer , .... all those people getting sick more and more every day , I really think that there is something going wrong on this world .
I hope that this new flu will stop soon ... too strange ... too fast ... too silence .... God bless the whole world !

I reside in Hong Kong...While most people living here do have the experience of dealing with SARS which was not happened not long ago... just like few years ago...it was not that bad during the SARS outbreak period ..at least to me as I could spend more time to stay / hang around with my families and friends.. and finally everything just goes back to normal as usual.. which I believe will be the same this time....

Very strange situation uh?

Ok, the facts:

There are no vaccin to prevent this infection.
There are vaccins to cure the infection, only if it's detected on time.
Everybody si somewhat scared in Mexico City because of this situation.
However the situation looks normal, there are many people in the streets going to their jobs, going to the market, well, doing the normal life.
Many many people is wearing that thing for the mouth.
Many people beleeives that this is not a nightmare, but is a serious health crisis.
No schools open in several states and Mexico City.

I live in Mexico City, and although it's not a nightmare yet as one person said earlier, we are all under alert. Companies are sending employees home if they can work remotely and we are all wearing protectors now.

As in any other situation, it's important not to surrender to panic but instead, follow all prevention guidelines.

Medical institutions are receiving lots of people, but neither all deaths or patients can be 100% related to flu.

Does it really matter where it was originated? it's just what we needed people fighting over the place where it was originated, that fact is that people are dying and that it is benning to spread worldwide, people in mexico know for a fact that the authorities are not saying the whole thruth, and some of us consider the mexican authorities incompetent, I strongly believe that what is more important is what we can do to protect our familes, I live in San Luis Potosi the second city with more deaths in the country and so far they say that there's been 10 deaths but people say that there's been over 56, it is a relatively small city, we can just hope that things get better this week.

Last night several other states in Mexico shut down schools until May 6th, with the long weekends coming up it was safer to keep the kids at home.

I live in Mexico City. I have been staying home since Friday mostly because I have a small kid and do not trust mass media. However, what are 22 death (in the capital) for a city of more than 20 million? Think about it. More people die every day from regular flu or in car accidents. The news have been blown out of proportion.

I'm northern Mexico, but I've talked to people in Mexico City and apparently things are really bad. I also heard from a very trustworthy source that the SEGOB calculates the number of infected people in Mexico already to be 100 thousand, and there have been a lot more than 100 deaths. I don't know if or when they are reseasing this information, but people should not downplay the situation.

If you want to know the facts go to the CDC's website.......cdc.gov. There is also valuable information on Wikepedia on the Swine Flu. Everything that people have posted regarding it originating in the U.S. is just hearsay. Also I want to point out that you can not get the flu from eating pork, the flu is an airborne virus. Please do your research to keep yourself from being mis-informed. There are plenty of resources out there.

Henry Seva,

This is not a religious blog, if you want to think that by praying a lot and reading the bible the decease will go, I suggest you that you see the history of the bubonic decease in Europe, on those times people were much more religios fanatic and didnt help at all to avoid the pandemia and deths.

Today we have sciense and knowledge and I rather hope that the helth professional find the cure on cientific basis than by a pray...

Respect non believers on your comments and keep religion out of here, "thanks god" (or I should said "Science") belivers have no longer the monopoly of the voice ....

Dear Folks around the world
Hi .The 1st thing in cases like what we see in Mexico is" not to be afraid ,but be ready ".
1) Using proper face masks is one of these procedures .
2) Let the Health Authorities know the signs of respiratory symptoms like cough ,dyspnea plus fever ,malaise ,muscle pain .
3) Help each other in families .
4) Trust In The Mighty God and be contented to whatever occures .Be sure this situation will pass .Be patient and cooperative with the Police and Health authorities .

Earthquake in Mexico? Updates would be appreciated. Thanks.

This world is breeding itself to death, we need a good pandemic if we want this planet to be around in 50 years, This is balance in nature so why should we be different. But then again, we think we are the only species on this planet, I forgot! I am sure a few billion less would offset alot of carbon.

I cannot believe some of the comments I am reading! Cancel all flights to and from Mexico?? Shut down an entire country? Maybe people should pay attention to what the authorities and the medical community is saying before acting like the latest expert witness......And another thing that is enormously disturbing.......Unless you live here, in Mexico City, as I do.......Be careful with what you say, because you are just spreading panic......

It's obvious from these comments what fear causes. Rather than throw insults at each other , whether it be against the countries we love or the presidents we support, can we at least take a moment to learn from each other. Our biggest concern at this point should be protecting ourselves should this multiply. Keep your families informed, pay attention to your surroundings. For once can we share the same compassion for each other that we would expect had it be one of our family members who has died from this horrible and deadly virus. The media will do whatever it has to to create news, , the goverments hoard information at the risk of chaos, so I'm told, whatever the case may be, keep a clear mind and a concerned heart for both the US and Mexico and any other location effected.

Its clear how health authorities just want to set population into panic, there's no biger problem than auto programation for diseases. If your mind works about fear, you'll just be like an hipocondriac, and that's the bigest problem, cause more than a virus, autoprogramation really can kill people and there is not a discussion point. As big as the fear, as big the problem would be.

Im Mexican, and today there are news about that the original mutation comes from woman in OAXACA, not US, besides, theres another note in http://www.mallorcadiario.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=43584

that today is reproduced by Reforma, anyway, stop spreading conspiracy theorys about people that knows people than knows people that is well connected that said that are thousands of deads... it's totally fake, it's serious, yes, but it's not like Mexico City has dead bodies in every street

Mexico City is everything but quiet....I mean, after a 5.7 a earthquake a few minutes ago what else can we get?

I've lived in Mexico City for a long time. We are used to not to believe what the government says. The problem with swine flu is severe, most of the residents didn't believe it was a serious problem until last saturday when army soldiers started handing out surgical mask to people. It really hit me and all of us. Now I'm with my son staying at my apartment, he's 10 years old and he is not leaving my place. I don't want to go anywhere, we are scared. I'm planning to travel to another city and stayed there for as long as I consider safe. I'm not sure if the city that I'll be staying at is safe, but my guess is that anyplace will be safer than Mexico City.

It's media paranoia, we Mexicans believe that since we have been given a lot of coverage lately with the drug related violence, we don't deserve any more bad news. Well now we have to add an earthquake.
Its a bad year, and I do believe the disease originated in Mexico

I read someone was asking why people who are strong and young (middle-aged) die sooner. You can find the answer on the wikipedia article about Spanish flu (a swine flu version of 1918 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_flu). They saw younger people died more because of cytokine storm, a (patologic, over-) reaction from body's inmune system to unknown viruses, that causes the production of too many inmune cells and fluids that end up blocking the lungs and airways.
Children and elder people inmune system is less strong and therefore has less "overreaction".
I am from Spain and after so much reading, am concerned, as it could easily expand around here as well (many planes from Mexico still arriving each day), but wait to see what precautions the OMS propose to take tonight... they wouldn't be too careless, would they?

I'M AMERICAN LIVING IN MEXICO FOR THREE YEARS NOW. ALL I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING RIGHT. MEXICANS ARE SCARED BUT THIS COUNTRY WILL MOVE ON. AS IT HAS ALWAYS DOES. MEXICO IS A GREAT COUNTRY WITH GRAET PEOPLE. THIS WILL ONLY MAKE THEM BETTER.

HEY¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ I WILL SURVIVE...............

MEXICO

I want to support Mexico!
Russia is very concerned about the fact that you have a problem Flu!
But I want to say that the entire blame for America!
That it grows GENNOMODIFITSIROVANNYE animals!
Americans are a patient nation until America ceases porchennye selling products to other countries.
Putin has long locks products from America!

I´m from Mexico City, and for me, this has been one terrible nightmare, people are dying, it is an unbearable situation, me, my family, my kids, we are all isolated in our places, we are afraid, we have powerful reasons to be afraid, this outbreak is spreading faster and faster. BUT, there´s a CURE, so if we are cautious, we won´t die, even if we get infected, if we act quickly we WON´T DIE.
So, that´s a wonderful news, isn it.

MEXICO IS A GRAET COUNTRY, WITH GREAT PEOPLE. THIS SITUATION IS DIFFICULT BUT IT WILL SOON BE OVER. THIS IS NO TIME TO LOOK FOR GUILT, BUT TIME TO WORK, HOPE AND GO ON. MEXICO AND THE US ARE NEIGHBORS, ALLIES AND OUR PEOPLE IS STRONGLY BOND TOGETHER.

I'M IN MEXICO CITY SINCE 4 YEARS AGO, AND I LOVE THIS CITY.

I am an American Citizen, born and raised in the Midwest, who has been living in Mexico City D.F for the last 20 months.

About a week ago I decided to move back to the states, not because of the Drug Cartel, not because of the Swine Flu (which was essentially unknown a week ago), but because my work contract had expired and it was time for me to leave.

The newspapers are saying 103 are dead. Please, when you read these numbers... take them with a grain of salt. 103 are dead with suspicions of having Swine Flu, if someone can tell me what qualifies as a "suspicion"... I would greatly appreciate it. Maybe it truly means that there is 99% chance that an easily identifiable strain of influenza was in their bloodstream and only is a matter of time before it is confirmed to be 100%.

But could "suspicion" simply mean when they passed away they had a fever? Or perhaps a cough? Or perhaps they had eaten some pork the week before.

The only official number that I have heard (and forgive me if I am behind the times) is 20 confirmed cases in Mexico. There is a population of 20 million in Mexico City. In my mind, I have a 1 in a million chance of getting fatally infected.

I have a lot of respect for the people here in Mexico City. There seems to be a deeper understanding of what media and sensationalism are in comparison to real life. There is no panic in the streets. People are at work and eating at restaurants. Yes, about half of the people I saw on the street had masks on... but please, be aware that wearing surgical masks is a normal thing for any cold or flu season out here.

The fear that is being projected from this "possible pandemic" is the only thing that is disturbing to me. I am not afraid of Swine Flu, I am afraid of the fear of Swine Flu. I'm afraid that this fear will grow and will force pointless action around the "necessity" of closing our borders and thus preventing people like me... from coming home.

The talks of where the flu started will get us nowhere. The talks of "hygiene habits" and "another problem for Mexico from the United States" are also pointless. If what you are truly concerned about are the lives that may be taken from this illness... please, rest easy for now, until we have more facts. If what you are concerned about it "Problems from a Unclean Foreign Culture" (and I am talking from both sides) please identify that fear, and take it out in a different way... now is not the time for that.

To CNN, Other Journalists and the People around the Water Cooler. Please... don't increase fear for fear's sake. I understand the need to do your job, and to sound informed. But there are some people that can be Greatly Effected from this kind of worried sensationalism... much more people, I fear, than from the Flu itself.

I love Mexico City, and I will miss it dearly. It is very unfortunate for me that my few precious days left are marred by such a multi-layered tragedy. I mean no disrespect to the people who are suffering from this, or any other illness. And a greatly appreciate the thoughts and prayers from people who are concerned.

I am simply requesting everyone to please, keep in mind what it is that you are truly fearing. Thank you.

I wouldn't call this a nightmare. Do not be alarmist! I would call a nightmare living in Guantanamo, or being in the middle of a never-ending war, with explosions and killing everywhere. We all residents in Mexico and visitors have to be cautious and follow the health advise. Period.

I am an American who lives in Northern Mexico. I went to El Paso around Easter and I have had the flu ever since. I have not left my house. I got it in El Paso...I think they havent been monitoring it enough there so of course they will find more cases. people die form the flu all the time, this is no different, we just live in an electronic age with more information available.

Add to that the 6.0 earthquake that just shook the capital....

It all seems a bit false, a pandemic alert to divert our attention from other important matters happening at the same time (just like the chupacabras). I live in Guadalajara, Mexico and the flu sounds like some sort of bad joke. Schools are closed in all the country, public events have been cancelled, and all based on information that the media can't give us the right way. The numbers don't match: 20, 68, 100 or more; honestly, they can't decide how many deaths linked to the flu have been detected, nor they show us real cases with names, or photos, or interviews, absolutely nothing. And suddenly it seems stories about where it originated seem to be spreading all around and none of them match as well.

What the hell is going on for real? They try to get us paranoid and scared but i know of no real person actually getting the flu. The only thing i'm afraid of right now is that Mexico will fall in some worst economical situation because people all over the globe will stop travelling here and all the public places that were shut closed will suffer a financial loss.

I think Obama brought the Swine Flu on his last visit to Mexico City. Before his visit nobody was sick, maybe hung over but not diening.

All actions being taken are focused on stopping the propagation (spreading) of the virus. If you are sick do not auto-medicate, this can change the initial swine flu symptoms and cause it to be critical for your health. You must see a doctor to identify the symptoms as of swine flu, take only the prescripted medicine, no other medication or auto-medication. Stay at home and isolate as much as possible from the rest of the family living at the same home.

If this flu epidemic is not enough, we had an earth quake this morning. Lasted more than a minute, but there’s no damage on the city by now.

I lived in Mexico City, at first time, this was like a game; but whet you heard that some relatives are sick you get realy scared.

Im very concern of what happening in Mexico all my prayers are for my latinamerican family of the great nation of Mexico. I have a trip to DF in July so I want to Know is there any precautions for tourists or if is convenience cancel my trip.

Everyone needs to relax a bit. There is no evidence that as the flu spreads it is anything other than something weaker than a mild seasonal flu, which we deal with every year. The circumstances concerning deaths in Mexico City aren't clear yet, whether these were people lacking medical care or who had extenuating circumstances.

Mexico is a big country, and other cities in Mexico are as equally a short flight away as New York or California...I live in Puerto Vallarta and there is no outbreak here....making it safer here than in New York where there was a confirmed outbreak. The government has temporarily closed down all bars/discos, etc even here for a week out of an abundance of caution, but probably by then this will all blow over. By then a few more people will have caught a serious flu and survived fine (as in New York) and life will move on. It will be back to banking crisis, torture memos and foreclosures...all the good stuff.

The media loves to hype a panic for ratings. Don't buy into it.

It is so easy to be a foreigner and pretend to see what people are doing wrong. And to be general about something is even worse! To Marie, I have to tell you that I'm a Mexican, who doesn't share her drinks, who covers her mouth as she sneezes and coughs, and that I definitely have very high hygienic standards for myself and people that surround me. Don't make us Mexicans sound like animals by saying that please!

People, please don't panic. I'm telling you, if anyone in my family died over that, I WOULD DEFINITELY NOT HIDE IT! So if they say that the deaths are actually thousands, where are all the families of this people? Who is mourning them? Because in Mexico there's little chance you die without mourners!

Be smart, don't panic, be careful. And they closed the schools to prevent any kind of spreading. 11 million kids in Mexico are not going to school in order to control better the virus!
Not the end of the world, just another huge challenge! At least crisis and recession are a bit out of our heads for a change!

Everyone needs to take a deep breath. This could have happened anywhere. This a process which has taking place for millions of years. As the quote goes that which does not kills us makes us stronger holds very true right now.

Stop believing the Mexican Govt. they are not giving you the complete facts... read what doctors within the crisis are saying – the truth needs to be heard!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/8018428.stm

Also, the military blocked off the neighorhood of Jardines de Coyoacan and put something in the water supply a couple days ago. Locals said the water turned yellowish, but had no chemical smell. By now whatever they did is probably throughout the entire Mexico City water system by now....

I really feel disappointed on those who insted having at least some compassion for the situation we mexicans are living, only care to make it clear that at least 100 miles around them they don't see any kind of farm-like enviorment.. well.. then as a mexican.. I think I deserve to answer back..
I just took a peek.. and nope.. I didn't see any kind of farm.like enviorment around me.. and so far what i can remember.. as far as my university, my job, or any of the places I would normally go.. have any kind of farm around them.. and still I'm in danger.. I beg you.. try not to say IGNORANT comments like that.. I live in a cosmopolitan city that is very well educated, and in my experience.. I belive that mexicans are very well thought about their higene..
where this illness came form.. is not the main problem now..
PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK, PRAY FOR THEIR FAMILIY, AND FOR ANYONE (NO MATTER THE COUNTRY, YOU SHOULD NEVER LIMIT YOUR PRAYERS FOR A COUNTRY) THAT COULD BE IN CONTACT WITH THIS VIRUS
and if you are not religious, at least wish us well..

I'm a US citizen visiting here in Mexico City. The streets are by no means "empty". There certainly is a lot less people going about their usual business, especially with the closing of schools. But there are still people. Public transportation is still up and running. If this virus was to really be contained, then they would've quarantined the city. Many people have actually gone on vacation to other parts of Mexico, taking advantage of the school closings.

I'm a US citizen visiting here in Mexico City. The streets are by no means "empty". There certainly is a lot less people going about their usual business, especially with the closing of schools. But there are still people. Public transportation is still up and running. If this virus was to really be contained, then they would've quarantined the city. Many people have actually gone on vacation to other parts of Mexico, taking advantage of the school closings.

The other countries have not quarantined Mexico knowing that the virus was already spreading. Truth is, the local media is making people scarred, making "special breaking news" and "urgent" broadcasts repeating clips of the president and the Health Secretary statements that this is a new virus and has killed many already.

I'm just worried about getting back to the US. And I'm also a bit concerned that New York has now 40 confirmed cases.

I also think that those who have died must have had other circumstances that have not been reported. Many have survived, so what did those have the others didn't?

As a paramedic moving from one hospital to another on the "hospital zone" in Mexico City doing mostly intensive care transfers I can tell there is indeed and increased number of patients, most ICUs have an average of 8 beds and use about 4 all the time on "normal" days, today the number is around 6, with those 2 extra patients with pneumonia, most patients treated on time that dont wait for the flu to turn into bacterial pneumonia have been doing fine and many have recovered so far. The first patient we saw that is know to have died from swine flu was from Bangladesh last week, the brother of this patient is still in ICU and being treated in INER hospital. A patient from Bangladesh is extremely rare in Mexico, some doctors see a connection here. As far as work goes everything is as usual with all types of patients.

In these cases is an advantage to live in a developed country when talking about Internet. The Country that is able to do financial, researching, whatever activities on-line is more likely to respect the protocols of isolation necessaries to cut the transmission. In other words: people working at home has better perspectives.

People is frightened, streets seem deserted. And to add to all that fear, the city underwent a medium-intensity earthquake. I work in the Santa Fe district (about 15 kms from the downtown) and it felt horrible.

Most people use surgical masks on the streets.
I don't believe the government is releasing the full story. I've heard from friends and acquaintances that the number of deaths caused by this epidemic are quite more numerous than what has been officially reported.

We all must take as much precautions as possible.

I believe that all the hype is essential. Were it not for all the hype, the virus may have been worse than it already is.

I have seen several posts stating the "Swine flu orriginated in the US" I also find it interesting that the Flu shows up in regions with high Mexican populations. The Mexican media is always pointing the finger at the US. Your Drug lord killings..Americas fault because they buy drugs. The Mexican economy...Americas fault for not letting illegal immigrants come here and work. Get a clue!! Get better Government in Mexico. Corruption is rampant. If your government put more money and energy into its people you would all have a better life. Including better medical. The rest of the world should not suffer the virus. Close all of the borders into and out of Mexico. No AIRLINE flights into and out of Mexico.

I work in Mexico City and I must say it is a frightful feeling. My co-worker came to work without a mask and was really quiet until she started coughing and sneezing. She didn't tell anyone until I asked her... She said she had a headache and felt bad and that she was TOO LAZY to go to the hospital. We sent her off and, until now, haven't heard from her.

What worries me is this state of denial of "It's not going to happen to me". Yes only a small fraction of people have been infected but this flu could have an exponential impact. She could've easily infected 10-12 of us if we hadn´t noticed and asked her to leave.

It is to my understanding that the people that are most effected are between 25-40 years old (the highest concentration of working class people). Of course there's the obvious economic impact of suspending all economic activities; but doesn't this just increase the risk of the epidemic going out of control?

I send my best to everyone out there. And as they say, hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

i live in mexico city. we need help. this is terrible and we live with panic.

I live in Mexico and we are NOT in a Nightmare city, calm down people!!
We are working like every day!! No alarm, just take care with the flu!

I advise you NOT to look for information from fellow posters here, easiest way to become misinformed.

We (people) should continue to monitor the situation and act accordingly, there is no panic at this point in Mexico City as some U.S. media (yahoo news) irresponsibly has reported.

Also the worst and the best from people arises here. Therefore caution and politeness are called back in.

"Also, the military blocked off the neighorhood of Jardines de Coyoacan and put something in the water supply a couple days ago. Locals said the water turned yellowish, but had no chemical smell. By now whatever they did is probably throughout the entire Mexico City water system by now…."

Ummm, I live in that neighborhood, and i'm pretty sure it hasn't been blocked off by the military.

I just came back from work, and the streets were far from empty to me.

Hi, I'm mexican and i live in Mexico City.
A lot of things have been told the last days, but we better should talk only about the facts:
FACT: According to our authorities, people have died due to an unknown virus. Even if in an area (talking about Mexico City and the State of Mexico) of about 27 million people 150 dead people aren't proportionally big, we're talking about human beings.
FACT: Economy in this area's semi-parallyzed. In the middle of the biggest economic worldwide crisis of the last 80 years what we need is our economy moving on, so that must mean something...
FACT: No one have proof that this disease is originally from Mexico, the US nor Asia....It's pointless to try to blame any country, yet.
FACT: People in Mexico don't believe in our authorities due to their well known tendences to hide the truth; but as mexican I'm worried with last Thursday's TV statement and aknowledgement of the problem by the Scry. of Health, because I see it as they couldn't hide the situation anymore.

Instead of the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918, I better recall the bird flu and SARS epidemics in Asia some years ago and I think that we're following that same path here.

So, the landscape now is one of uncertainity, of people afraid even of going to work, of all the usual entertainment (cinema, theater....even our national sport, soccer) being cancelled and a constant increase on the death toll.
Other than this, please don't believeor spread gossip and speculation....It's not good for us in Mexico nor you all over the world....Let's not panic!

Some people here are really alarmist. People here in Mexico are living a normal life, going to work, shopping in malls, riding the bus, etc. It is important, it is a crisis, but just be careful, dont shake hands, cover your mouth when you sneeze, wear a mask when you go out, and you will be allright.

Saludos from Mexico, and dont worry, just be careful. Live normal

Hello, I'm a citizen of Mexico City since the day i was born and I never saw so many people worried about illness and adding the fact of a earth quake a few hours ago make this a "movie like" scenario just for the fact people are afraid of the INFLUENZA and now our very first enemy "earthquakes", seems like there is the end. I think this is beyond a biblical end of the world or a human chemical test doing wrong, maybe I'm wrong but I strongly belive this is a "cover" for a even more powerful impact to Mexico all the country because never in the history of this city the government took so many caution of a critical situation like this (except of course 1985 earthquake) what I'm thinking is maybe beyond a real health care situation there is a political or economic treat, I'm not just talking nonsense just let's go back 1994 when the big devaluation of the PESO took place, media do all effort to distract population whit the story of "chupacabras" oh yes many people will remember this part of Mexico's story when late news broadcastings show news about chupacabra's new attacks in very remote towns in Mexico killing cows and chickens and also people, but this was a make up because at that same time Mexico's government prepare the devaluation of the century I just want to clear up I'm not a political critic I'm a regular citizen worried about what is going on lately things maybe not be as it used to be the goog thing is I never saw before so many people wearing surgeon masks in care of protecting them selves mexican people is taking things very seriusly and I fell we are a first world country since we care of things as maybe U.S. citizens do or German's do.
So as final words I hope what ever is coming on do not affect more people of this city or country we have enough whit narco's, kidnappings, insecurity etc, PLEASE HAVE MERCY!! thanks.

I say start closing all boarders! That includes the canadian and Mexican boarder. Stop all travel to and from any state! Keep your butts home. Dont spread it any further.
Oh and dont bother praying to god....he dont care.

Hi everybody!! I live in Mexico City, and I am a University student.. I do think that the situation is serious but as the authorities are saying is that no panic... but let's prevent any contagious situation by taking the measurements that they are saying.... I saw that my parents were very worried... and I am too but we have to remain calm and take the recomendations.

can anyone tell me if the have heard of any out breaks in mazatlan?
We are going there at the begining of may.

why is it that if ppl have the symptoms of the swine flu in the US they are letting them go home. why dnt they keep them in the hospital until they get better. that will be one way of spreding the viruse.

Hello and greetings to everyone from Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico!

I must say that there are always two sides to a news story and it is more complex when one is in English and the other is in Spanish. Only when one speaks both languages it is possible to listen to both worlds and draw conclusions on more information.

Mexico is taking more extreme measures to contain the virus than the US. (nationwide closings, schools, cines, discotecs, restaurants, etc)

I have a really bad feeling inside. Tomarrow my wife will be travelling to the US (Continental Air to Houston and later to Missouri). After seening both news sources, maps, etc, I afraid that there is more risk for her to contract the virus over there than here in Mexico.

Comments?

We in Mexico City are scared, yes. But we are also confident that we have to cooperate and with the hope that this will be in control as soon as possible. We just go out of home to buy food and I am working from my house.....All the familiy has one week inside the house, the safest place. Restaurantes, shops, malls are closed and I agree with that to avoid the contamination.

I heard about the swine flu outbreak a day after it was all over the news and became very concerned because my parents had just visited Mexico on the same weekend it all started. We live in San Antonio and several of our school districts have closed down because of 3 confirmed and possibly more cases of the flu.Now we have a 23 old baby that died from this flu in a Houston Tx hospital.This has scared me and my family and I have been watching for any signs of this sickness. So far my parents have been fine. I have also, been reading and hearing comments on many want the government to close down the borders to stop it from getting worse, well its here already , we need to make sure we are taking care of ourselves and our families. Many people also,feel that this has a been blown out of proportion or that the U.S is to blame for all this happening, I don't think we should blame the U.S. or Mexico. They are doing their best to get this all under control and we should all just be taking extra precautions.

DO NOT EAT PORK

The Haitian government appreciates the goodwill gesture made by the Mexican government. In this situation no country in the world would have accepted any aid shipment from Mexico during this swine flu crisis. The Mexican government could offer that aid shipment to another poor country in the neighboring country to see if they would accept as well.

I am a doctor in the northern zone of Mexico, close to Arizona. One question I have, re: the AH1N1 matter. We know that all the states are not involved, so why use fear rather than build national unity by asking for small donations to some bank account from those who are better off and live in low risk areas?
Fear does not construct unity, unless all are afraid of the same thing, which is not this case.
So, maybe the government is handling the matter in a way to generate fear, also to divert the attention from the current economic woes.
In any case, the numbers are small, it is not the bubonic plague, and we do not live in the seventeenth century.
So, take a daily dose of Vitamin C, at least one gram, and use common sense. Do what we are asked to do, to reduce viral spread.

Roberto Ortiz I'm totally agree with you... we need to be more analytical not to believe all things that the goverment wants to tell us by the media. We have tu be careful but not scared.

Everyones talkin about america and mexico blaming each other. but how about instead of blaming eachother, try and fix the problem. Noone is to blame, its just mother nature takin its tole on us. We should check the water of important areas in U.S and Mexico. Have certain areas checked for disease areas. and just alittle comment. having a mask over u want help. Disease are contact spread.