The swine flu virus is not as lethal as authorities originally thought, Mexico's health secretary said, though the disease continued to spread quickly and kill on Friday. Tests had confirmed 397 cases of Influenza A H1N1, or swine flu, in Mexico as of Friday night, up from 312 on Thursday night, Health Secretary José Córdova said. The number of deaths rose from 12 to 16.
In all, authorities had tested 908 people for the virus, he said."The attack rate is not as broad as was thought," Córdova told reporters, though he said it too early to say if Mexico was bringing the disease under control. He noted that China's 2002-2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, lasted three months.
Of all people reporting to hospitals with acute respiratory disease, only about 1.2% were dying, he said. Mexico City, a metropolis of 20 million people, was strangely quiet on Friday after Mexican authorities ordered all schools, "non-essential" businesses and government agencies to close until Wednesday. The government is hoping the measure will reduce person-to-person contact that could spread the virus.
President Felipe Calderón on Wednesday urged people to stay in their homes. Along Mexico City's Tlalpan Viaduct Highway, stores were shuttered and sidewalks were empty. The mountains, often painted gray by smog, loomed large and green over the city's southern neighborhoods. "It's strange," said Laura Vera, 24, as she walked her dog. "It's like being in a small town all of a sudden, not a city." Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard said he was beginning to see glimmers of hope as authorities get better at identifying and treating the disease.
"The measures we have been taking are beginning to stabilize the situation," Ebrard said. Mexico City, neighboring Mexico State, and the northern state of San Luis Potosí continued to have the most cases, the federal Health Department said. There were signs of strain, however. On Friday morning, a riot broke out at Mexico City's Northern Prison after authorities canceled all visits at the prison because of the flu outbreak, the city government said. Relatives gathered outside set fire to a car, demanding they be let in. Guards quickly restored order inside the prison, but seven inmates were injured, the city government said. Riot police dispersed the crowds outside.
In all, authorities had tested 908 people for the virus, he said."The attack rate is not as broad as was thought," Córdova told reporters, though he said it too early to say if Mexico was bringing the disease under control. He noted that China's 2002-2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, lasted three months.
Of all people reporting to hospitals with acute respiratory disease, only about 1.2% were dying, he said. Mexico City, a metropolis of 20 million people, was strangely quiet on Friday after Mexican authorities ordered all schools, "non-essential" businesses and government agencies to close until Wednesday. The government is hoping the measure will reduce person-to-person contact that could spread the virus.
President Felipe Calderón on Wednesday urged people to stay in their homes. Along Mexico City's Tlalpan Viaduct Highway, stores were shuttered and sidewalks were empty. The mountains, often painted gray by smog, loomed large and green over the city's southern neighborhoods. "It's strange," said Laura Vera, 24, as she walked her dog. "It's like being in a small town all of a sudden, not a city." Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard said he was beginning to see glimmers of hope as authorities get better at identifying and treating the disease.
"The measures we have been taking are beginning to stabilize the situation," Ebrard said. Mexico City, neighboring Mexico State, and the northern state of San Luis Potosí continued to have the most cases, the federal Health Department said. There were signs of strain, however. On Friday morning, a riot broke out at Mexico City's Northern Prison after authorities canceled all visits at the prison because of the flu outbreak, the city government said. Relatives gathered outside set fire to a car, demanding they be let in. Guards quickly restored order inside the prison, but seven inmates were injured, the city government said. Riot police dispersed the crowds outside.
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