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With 41 Sick, US Moves 'As If' Flu Is 'Full Pandemic'

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 27, 2009 4:29 PM CDT

(Newser) – With up to 41 people sickened by swine flu in five states and 149 dead in Mexico, the Obama administration is treating the outbreak like a full pandemic, the AP reports. Officials warned Americans against traveling to Mexico—where more than 1,600 have been infected—and sent flu-fighting medications to US states. "We are proceeding as if we are preparatory to a full pandemic," said Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has raised its pandemic alert level from three to four, indicating human-to-human infections in one country or more. Level six would indicate a full pandemic, an epidemic across a wider area. In New York, where 45 high school students were recently infected with swine flu, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said more than 100 cases will likely be confirmed after testing, Reuters reports.

Janet Napolitano, left, talks to Richard Gibbs, center, as Dr. Richard Besser, right, Acting Director Center for Disease Control and Prevention speaks on Sunday, April 26, 2009 in Washington.
Janet Napolitano, left, talks to Richard Gibbs, center, as Dr. Richard Besser, right, Acting Director Center for Disease Control and Prevention speaks on Sunday, April 26, 2009 in Washington.   (Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
George Koutsothanasis, 18, a senior at St. Francis Preparatory School in the Queens borough of New York, comments about getting tested for swine flu Monday, April 27, 2009.
George Koutsothanasis, 18, a senior at St. Francis Preparatory School in the Queens borough of New York, comments about getting tested for swine flu Monday, April 27, 2009.   (Craig Ruttle)
President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, Monday, April 27, 2009.
President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, Monday, April 27, 2009.   (Gerald Herbert)
President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, Monday, April 27, 2009.
President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, Monday, April 27, 2009.   (Gerald Herbert)
Ana Navarro, 40, wears a mask as she waits in line with others to clear U.S. Customs crossing from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, into  El Paso, Texas,  Monday, April 27, 2009.
Ana Navarro, 40, wears a mask as she waits in line with others to clear U.S. Customs crossing from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, into El Paso, Texas, Monday, April 27, 2009.   (LM Otero)
  (N. Rapp, YY)
International travelers Alicia Salinas, right, and her husband Genaro wear masks after arriving at Bush Intercontinental Airport on a flight from Mexico City Monday, April 27, 2009 in Houston.
International travelers Alicia Salinas, right, and her husband Genaro wear masks after arriving at Bush Intercontinental Airport on a flight from Mexico City Monday, April 27, 2009 in Houston.   (David J. Phillip)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Mr.C
Apr 28, 2009 7:16 AM CDT
Now if we could pay attention to this AIDs thing. Maybe someone should start spreading that in the states again.
drlarrymitchell
Apr 28, 2009 1:45 AM CDT
Captain Trips will not be denied.

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