The South Korean government issued a travel warning to those traveling to Mexico, made checks on inbound travelers more stringent, and increased the inspection checkpoints for pork products.
The foreign ministry in South Korea announced $500,000 worth of emergency medical aid to Mexico to tackle the current crisis. The aid would include masks, thermometers and disinfectant liquid soap.
To avoid the spread of flu, China has suspended direct flights from Mexico to Shanghai. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it will monitor the situation of the pandemic in the days to come and only then decide on the resumption of flights.
The Chinese government is also contemplating a chartered flight to Mexico city to enable some Chinese citizens to come back home.
Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, a public emergency has been declared after a hotel guest, who had arrived from Mexico tested positive for the flu. The authorities have ordered a week-long quarantine of that particular hotel as well as its 300 guests and staff. Police wearing masks are guarding the hotel exits. The country pledged to further step up measures to contain the swine flu.
About swine flu or influenza A (H1N1)
The swine flu, officially known as influenza A (H1N1), is caused by any strain of the influenza virus endemic in pigs (swine). The strain endemic in swine is termed as swine influenza virus (SIV) which mutates into a form that can easily pass on from human to human.
When affected by the flu, the patient experiences symptoms like chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort.
According to the WHO reports, 16 countries have confirmed swine flu cases. Out of these, six countries have confirmed person-to-person transmission also.
Asian Development Bank managing director, Rajat Nag, noted that the Asian countries were better placed to tackle the flu given their experiences with severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, and the avian flu.
He said, “It’s an evolving situation but systems are in place to deal with it. We have to watch very carefully but not overreact.”
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