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Mexico Protests Chinese Quarantine of 70 Travelers

Quarantines in China of Mexicans prompt speech by Calderon

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted May 4, 2009 9:54 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Mexico is sending a charter plane to China today to rescue more than 70 Mexican travelers who have been quarantined by the Chinese government regardless of whether they had symptoms of the swine flu. President Felipe Calderon protested what he called "repressive and discriminatory measures," AP reports. Other Mexican nationals have been taken into isolation after arriving on flights, and even the country's consul was detained after he returned to China.

"I think it's unfair that because we have been honest and transparent with the world some countries and places are taking repressive and discriminatory measures because of ignorance and disinformation," Calderon said last night. "There are always people who are seizing on this pretext to assault Mexicans, even just verbally." Mexico has recommended that citizens not go to China.

Lorena Balderas, 21, lies in bed while under observation in the area where people suspected to have contracted the swine flu virus are treated in Mexico City, Sunday, May 3, 2009.
Lorena Balderas, 21, lies in bed while under observation in the area where people suspected to have contracted the swine flu virus are treated in Mexico City, Sunday, May 3, 2009.   (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills)
In this aerial view a virtually empty avenue is seen in Mexico City, Sunday, May 3, 2009. Mexico's Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova said the swine flu epidemic is now in its declining phase.
In this aerial view a virtually empty avenue is seen in Mexico City, Sunday, May 3, 2009. Mexico's Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova said the swine flu epidemic "is now in its declining phase."   (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Mexico's Ambassador to Beijing Jorge Guajardo speaks in Beijing, China, Sunday, May 3, 2009. He says more than 70 of his compatriots have been quarantined in hospitals and hotels in China.
Mexico's Ambassador to Beijing Jorge Guajardo speaks in Beijing, China, Sunday, May 3, 2009. He says more than 70 of his compatriots have been quarantined in hospitals and hotels in China.   (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
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The good news is that, when we look at this virus right now, we're not seeing some of the things in the virus that have been associated in the past with more severe flu. That's encouraging. - Richard Besser, acting chief of the CDC

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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Newser001
May 4, 2009 5:21 AM CDT
(BBC) May 4 , 2009 02:41 GMT ' WHO warns against flu complacency ' The World Health Organization says countries must not lower their guard in the response to the swine flu outbreak. Almost 900 cases had been confirmed across five continents, the WHO said, and authorities had to remain vigilant. Viruses increased and decreased in activity, it said, and it was too early to tell whether the outbreak had peaked where it emerged in Mexico. The warning came after health officials in Mexico said that cases of the virus appeared to be declining. More @ BBC.com : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/ame...

Agreement reached on returning citizens
Wall Street Journal

China has also quarantined its own citizens
Xinhua (China)

This flu strain is 'relatively mild'
Guardian (UK)

 
China • Mexico • epidemic • quarantine • human rights violations • Felipe Calderón • swine flu

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