Flu Threat Smaller Than Feared

(NEWSER) - The H1N1 virus can more easily infect the lungs than the common seasonal flu, a new study finds, making it more likely to cause pneumonia. What’s more, the present virus bears troubling resemblance to the 1918 strain that killed more than 40 million people worldwide. The study also shows that people who survived the 1918 pandemic have an antibody response to H1N1, indicating that their body "remembered" it, MSNBC reports. More»

Alert level lowered after no new infections reported for a week

(NEWSER) - Mexico City has lifted all measures introduced to curb the spread of swine flu, and changed its alert status to the lowest level, the BBC reports. "We can calm down now," said Mayor Marcelo Ebrard, telling residents they no longer have to wear masks. No new cases of the H1N1 strain have been reported in the city for over a week. More»

Health ministers from 13 countries pledge increased cooperation

(NEWSER) - Health chiefs from 13 Asian countries met in Bangkok yesterday to hammer out a unified response to the H1N1 virus, Reuters reports. The ministers pledged to step up cross-border cooperation, establish joint response teams, and share essential supplies. A statement called for Asia to establish the capacity to produce vaccines, which are primarily made in Europe and North America. More»

(NEWSER) - Continental Airlines said today it will begin cutting flights to Mexico on Monday because of the swine flu outbreak, the Houston Chronicle reports. The airline will cancel 180 of its 450 weekly flights and use smaller planes. As the number of confirmed cases in the US rose to 141 in 19 states, President Obama urged caution but said he's "optimistic that we're going to be able to manage this effectively," the Washington Post reports. More»

(NEWSER) - Mexico's top medical official told the AP that he's hopeful swine flu has begun to wane in his nation. "The fact that we have a stabilization in the daily numbers, even a drop, makes us optimistic," said Jose Angel Cordova. "We think we're on the right track." An official from the World Health Organization, however, cautioned that fluctuations are normal and that it's far too early to celebrate. In the US, meanwhile, the number of cases confirmed by the CDC rose slightly to 114 in 12 states, notes the New York Times. More»