A group of New Zealand school children returning from Mexico has been quarantined with symptoms

The Flu moves to New Zealand...


Deadly Mexico Swine Flu Sparks High Alert
Breaking News

SOURCE

7:18am UK, Sunday April 26, 2009
A group of New Zealand school children returning from Mexico has been quarantined with symptoms - as concern grows over the spread of a deadly swine flu outbreak.

Mexicans wearing surgical masks for flu protection

Surgical masks have been distributed among the public for protection

The Mexican government says the death toll from the rare virus strain has now risen to 81.

Over 1,300 people are suspected ill with the virulent flu as global health experts warn the spread could spark a pandemic.

The UK is on high alert after a man was taken to a London hospital with "flu-like symptoms" on returning from a trip to Mexico City.

The disease has already spread to the United States, with cases reported in Texas, California, Kansas and New York.

Mexico's health minister Jose Angel Cordova said: "There have been 81 registered deaths which are probably linked to the virus - of which only 20 cases have virological checks."

All schools have been shut in the country's capital Mexico City, the surrounding area and the central state of San Luis Potosi until May 6, he added.

World Health Organisation director-general Margaret Chan said the outbreak in constituted a "public health emergency of international concern".

The H1N1 strain of swine flu is usually only seen in pigs - but in humans can cause serious symptoms including fever and fatigue.