London: It's a flashback to the bird flu which had spread to many parts of the world, except this time there are indicators that the international outbreak of H1N1 or Swine flu could be worse, much worse.
Mexico, where it all began, has sealed its borders for five days and shut down non-essential services.
The World Health Organisation says:
"The situation continues to evolve rapidly. As of 06:00 GMT, 1 May 2009, 11 countries have officially reported 331 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection. Level 5 pandemic."
H 1 N1 influenza -- that's the new name for the deadly virus that has taken over the world. The swine may have gone but the flu persists and seems to be getting stronger.
Mexico: 156 cases
US: 109
Austria: 01
Canada: 34
Germany: 03
Israel: 02
Netherlands: 01
New Zealand: 03
Spain: 13
Switzerland: 01
UK: 08
Eleven countries have officially reported 331 cases, Mexico where it all began has 156 cases, the US 109 and rest spread across the world.
Austria (1), Canada (34), Germany (3), Israel (2), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (3), Spain (13), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (8).
A little boy from Mexico is believed to be the first victim. Five-year-old Edgar Hernandez, has now recovered.
Edgar's mother says it started with a headache, his fever spiked. The boy lives near a pig manure dump in the remote Mexican town -- a possible source of the virus.
As the number of people with the virus increases almost hourly, every country is gearing up to stop the inflow of the virus.
India screens swine flu
- Screening at all International airports
- Quarantine facilities in big cities
- Ensuring enough Tamiflu
- 10 million Tamiflu doses to be available
In India all international airports have a screening process with doctors and nurses checking suspected cases. Quarantine facilities have been arranged for in all big cities.
Government is ensuring that there is enough Tamiflu available. It will be 10 million doses, from 1 million right now.
Tamiflu is the only medicine which is effective against the virus if taken early enough. But this seems archaic compared to what some other Asian have got.
In China and Indonesia for instance, precision testing equipments like thermal scanners are being used at airports to detect the flu at the very early stages.
By the middle of next week every single house in Britain will be leafleted with information about preventing the spread of the swine flu. With 3 more cases, the country has started preparations on a war footing expanding its anti-viral stocks from 35 million to 50 million by the end of May.