Key developments on swine flu outbreak, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and government officials. • Deaths: 168 in Mexico, eight confirmed as swine flu and rest suspected. One confirmed in US, a 23-month-old boy from Mexico who died in Texas. • Sickened: 2,955 suspected and 99 confirmed in Mexico. Confirmed elsewhere: at least 93 in US; 19 in Canada; 10 in Spain; five in Britain; four in Germany; 3 in New Zealand; two in Israel; one each in Switzerland, Austria and the Netherlands. • World Health Organization raises pandemic alert to second highest level – phase 5 – meaning it believes a global outbreak of the disease is imminent. • US cases confirmed by CDC and state officials in 11 states: 51 in New York, 16 in Texas, 14 in California, three in Maine; two each in Kansas and Massachusetts, and one each in Indiana, Ohio, Arizona and Nevada. CDC also said Michigan had two, but state officials said only one was confirmed. • The Obama administration comes out against closing the US-Mexico border, with Vice President Joe Biden calling it “a monumental undertaking” with only limited benefits. • Roughly 100 US schools close nationwide, in Texas, New York City, California, South Carolina, Connecticut, Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Arizona and Ohio. • Public health emergency declared in the United States and roughly 12 million doses of Tamiflu from federal stockpile to be delivered to states. • Mexico suspends all nonessential activity of the federal government and private business until May 5. Public events canceled and masks handed out. All schools closed until May 6. Pro soccer games this weekend – 176 – to be played without fans. • Texas Gov. Rick Perry issues disaster declaration, and state suspends all high school sports competitions until May 11. Texas school closings affect 130,000 children. • Ecuador, Cuba and Argentina ban travel to or from Mexico, and Peru bans flights from Mexico; U.S., European Union, other countries discourage nonessential travel there. • Travelers arriving from Mexico questioned at airports worldwide. Cruise lines avoid Mexican ports. • Two leading US makers of respiratory masks ramp up production to meet heavy demand from pharmacies.
