Swine Flu Updates: Monday

An ongoing roundup of Swine Flu stories as they break. I'll be posting updates throughout the day and a new thread daily so you can get all your Swine Flu updates here.

Hit F5 on your keyboard to refresh the page for the latest news.

20 new Swine Flu cases have been confirmed in NYC, bringing the NYC total to 28, all from one school. None of the patients are gravely ill. Another 17 cases in a NYC school are suspected to be Swine Flu.

The number of U.S. Swine Flu cases has jumped to 40 confirmed in California, Texas, Kansas, Ohio, and New York.

Mexico's death toll has climbed to 149, with 1,995 total cases of suspected Swine Flu. Only 20 deaths have been confirmed to be from Swine Flu at this point. The total number of cases doubled from Saturday to Monday.

Mexico ordered every school nationwide to close until May 6th.

Mexico City is considering shutting down all public transportation. Protective surgical masks are being handed out at Mexico City train and bus stops.

A California grade school closed because one student is showing mild flu like symptoms. Swine Flu has NOT been confirmed in that case, but samples were sent to the CDC.

Track Swine Flu cases worldwide with this customized Google Map.

Swine Flu is suspected or confirmed to have spread to the following countries: Mexico, United States, Canada, Columbia, Spain, France, Belgium, Italy, United Kingdom, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong.

The Centers for Disease Control have created a website for Swine Flu information.

Update: 3:05pm CDT

The United Kingdom has confirmed two cases of Swine Flu in Scotland.

California has confirmed their 8th case of Swine Flu and are investigating another 12 cases.

Update: 3:14pm CDT

Japan has ordered doctors and nurses to begin boarding airplanes arriving from Mexico starting on Wednesday to check passengers for flu symptoms. Passengers will also be forced to complete health questionnaires.

The CDC will issue a travel advisory later today asking Americans to avoid all non-essential travel to Mexico.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is preparing for a pandemic. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization is meeting today to decide if they should raise the world threat level. It is currently at 3, 6 is the highest.

Update 3:20PM CDT

Canada has confirmed 6 cases of Swine Flu.

U.S. health officials said of the 40 U.S. cases of Swine Flu, only one person has been hospitalized. They also have released 25% of the stockpile of anti-viral drugs, 11 million doses.

Update 3:21PM CDT

Texas has confirmed a 3rd case of Swine Flu, all 3 are students at the same high school near San Antonio. Texas has closed all 14 schools in the district.

Update 3:27PM CDT

Here's a doozy: Mexican medical staff say the Mexican government tried to cover up the severity of the problem at first by insisting doctors not write the cause of death on death certificates.

In Mexico the virus is mainly striking people in their 20's and 30's. In the U.S. the cases have ranged from 9 to 50 years old, not following normal flu patterns that infect elderly and small children.

Update 3:53PM CDT

A Starbucks employee in Mexico City is being treated for flu-like symptoms and the coffee chain has closed 10 Mexico City cafe's on orders from the government.

The World Health Organization has raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to 4, two stages below declaring a full blown pandemic.

Update 4:25PM CDT

The GOP cut pandemic preparedness funding from the stimulus bill months ago. Those Republicans are always looking out for you.

The number of confirmed U.S. cases has risen to 41.