Mexican state declares swine-flu alert after 1 death.

Published March 25, 2011, EFE

Ciudad Juarez – The government of the northern state of Chihuahua on the U.S. border decreed an "epidemic alert" for an outbreak of the AH1N1 swine-flu virus that has taken the life of one police officer and infected another two, while 15 citizens are suspected of having the infection.

Chihuahua Gov. Cesar Duarte called on the community Friday to take precautions, while at the same time the health-care sector is applying preventive measures, early diagnosis and opportune management of the outbreak.

To explain the urgency, Duarte said "it's important to tell you that this is not a pandemic such as occurred two years ago - we're announcing an outbreak in which several cases has been confirmed that are already being treated and are being given the necessary medicines."

He said that everyone with flu symptoms should go to a medical center to be seen immediately, and added that a committee of specialists has been set up to follow the situation and determine the actions to be taken.

Duarte said that a security barrier will be established around Chihuahua, the biggest state in the country, to keep the AH1N1 flu virus from spreading.

He added that for now, schools will not be closed nor will work be suspended.

Duarte said that one of those apparently infected is a native of El Paso, Texas, and is suspected of having brought the virus to neighboring Ciudad Juarez.

According to the El Paso Public Health Department, in 2010 eight cases of swine flu were confirmed there, while in the first two months of this year, 29 cases have been confirmed.

To prevent the spread of the AH1N1 virus as occurred two years ago in Mexico, leaving hundreds dead and setting off a worldwide alert, health authorities began giving vaccinations starting Wednesday to 250 traffic cops in Ciudad Juarez, after the news was out that a policeman had died and two of his fellow officers were infected.

In June last year, federal health authorities lifted the alert for swine flu, which since 2009 to date has taken almost 1,300 lives.

The argument was that "the circulation of the virus is minimal" and that since October 2009 "a sustained drop in mortality, contagion, and need for hospitalization" due to swine flu has been noted.

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