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TOKYO, Japan / The Japan Times / April 29, 2009
By Jun Hongo, Staff writer
The government on Tuesday heightened scrutiny of incoming tourists, warned Japanese living in Mexico to leave, and told those planning to go there to think twice after the World Health Organization raised the alert level for a new type of influenza.
In the know: People wearing masks wait Tuesday in a departure lobby at Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture after World Health Organization raised its flu pandemic alert level to Phase 4. Kyodo Photo
The WHO elevated its alert level on the deadly swine-avian-human virus to Phase 4, indicating a significant human-to-human pandemic risk.
In a hastily arranged news conference after the WHO's alert, health minister Yoichi Masuzoe acknowledged the latest swine-avian-human flu is a new virus and said the government will monitor the nation's ports of entry to prevent a domestic outbreak.
While urging the public to remain calm, Masuzoe said preventive measures, including washing hands and gargling, should be taken to avoid infection.
Prime Minister Taro Aso and his Cabinet held the first meeting of a special task force Tuesday afternoon to discuss how to respond to the rapidly spreading epidemic.
Click to read more
(C) The Japan Times
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LONDON, England / The Guardian / April 29, 2009
The Great Swine Flu Cover-up
As anxiety over swine flu spreads, people all
over the world are reaching for protective masks
Barcelona airport. Photograph: Manua Fernandez/AP
Click for 10 photos from world over.
_____________________________________________
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia / Saudi Gazette / Front Page / April 29, 2009
Screening urged in Saudi Arabia as flu spreads
By Shahid Ali Khan
RIYADH -- The Airlines Operators Committee (AOC) appealed Tuesday for medical screening of passengers arriving at Saudi airports as world health officials admitted they were powerless to halt the spread of swine flu and Israel confirmed the first case of infection in the Middle East.
The disease, while still largely corralled in North America, has spread rapidly within days – to eight countries as of Tuesday. AOC Chairman Muhammad Yateem said that around 30 international airlines that are AOC members operate daily flights to the Kingdom from a number of European countries and the US alone. Additionally several flights arrive daily from Asia.
“We already dispatched a letter to GACA requesting them to look into the matter and take some serious steps immediately, such as posting medical experts and certain monitoring devices at the airports,” said Yateem, a Bahraini who is also the Gulf Air airport manager.
Airports in the United Arab Emirates, one of the world’s premier flight hubs, have already been placed under strict surveillance to spot anyone arriving who might have swine flu.
Source:
Saudi Gazette
__________________________________________
USA: To Panic or Not to Panic
Slate Magazine, New York. April 28, 2009
Read comment by Daniel Politi
In the know: People wearing masks wait Tuesday in a departure lobby at Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture after World Health Organization raised its flu pandemic alert level to Phase 4. Kyodo Photo
The WHO elevated its alert level on the deadly swine-avian-human virus to Phase 4, indicating a significant human-to-human pandemic risk.
In a hastily arranged news conference after the WHO's alert, health minister Yoichi Masuzoe acknowledged the latest swine-avian-human flu is a new virus and said the government will monitor the nation's ports of entry to prevent a domestic outbreak.
While urging the public to remain calm, Masuzoe said preventive measures, including washing hands and gargling, should be taken to avoid infection.
Prime Minister Taro Aso and his Cabinet held the first meeting of a special task force Tuesday afternoon to discuss how to respond to the rapidly spreading epidemic.
Click to read more
(C) The Japan Times
______________________________________________
Related stories
LONDON, England / The Guardian / April 29, 2009
The Great Swine Flu Cover-up
As anxiety over swine flu spreads, people all
over the world are reaching for protective masks
Barcelona airport. Photograph: Manua Fernandez/AP
Click for 10 photos from world over.
_____________________________________________
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia / Saudi Gazette / Front Page / April 29, 2009
Screening urged in Saudi Arabia as flu spreads
By Shahid Ali Khan
RIYADH -- The Airlines Operators Committee (AOC) appealed Tuesday for medical screening of passengers arriving at Saudi airports as world health officials admitted they were powerless to halt the spread of swine flu and Israel confirmed the first case of infection in the Middle East.
The disease, while still largely corralled in North America, has spread rapidly within days – to eight countries as of Tuesday. AOC Chairman Muhammad Yateem said that around 30 international airlines that are AOC members operate daily flights to the Kingdom from a number of European countries and the US alone. Additionally several flights arrive daily from Asia.
“We already dispatched a letter to GACA requesting them to look into the matter and take some serious steps immediately, such as posting medical experts and certain monitoring devices at the airports,” said Yateem, a Bahraini who is also the Gulf Air airport manager.
Airports in the United Arab Emirates, one of the world’s premier flight hubs, have already been placed under strict surveillance to spot anyone arriving who might have swine flu.
Source: Saudi Gazette
__________________________________________
USA: To Panic or Not to Panic
Slate Magazine, New York. April 28, 2009
Read comment by Daniel Politi
