Mexico's health minister says the country's swine influenza A-H1N1 flu epidemic has reached its peak and is declining.
Jose Angel Cordova said Sunday the outbreak appeared to have peaked in
Mexico between April 23 and April 28, and that the number of severe
cases is declining. But Cordova cautioned against lowering one's guard
against the disease.
An official from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
said she is heartened by the reports, but that it is too soon to be
certain that Mexico's outbreak is leveling off.
Dr. Anne Schuchat told reporters that scientists still do not know how
virulent the virus will be, and she expects more severe cases and more
deaths.
Mexico is the epicenter of the international outbreak. It has reported
19 deaths and another 487 infections. The neighboring United States has
confirmed 226 cases nationwide and one death.
At least 17 other countries have confirmed cases. The first case in South America was confirmed Sunday in Colombia.
