Death toll of A/H1N1 flu in Mexico rises to 48

Source: Xinhua | 05-10-2009 09:42

MEXICO CITY, May 9 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the A/H1N1 flu epidemic in Mexico has risen to 48, up three from a day earlier, a government spokesman said Saturday.

Health Ministry spokesman Carlos Olmos also said the number of confirmed flu cases increased by more than 300 to 1,626.

As of Friday, "there have been 5,580 tests, of which 1,626 had a positive result," Olmos said at a news conference.

He said that 48 people have died from the flu and 1,578 other patients were still being treated.

Mexico launched a flu alert on April 23 and during the following week closed all educational institutions from nurseries to universities, sending home over 30 million citizens.

All businesses and government buildings in Mexico City were closed during the same period. High schools and universities there re-opened Wednesday and other businesses are gradually re-opening, with a full return to normal planned for Monday.

Jalisco state officials said, however, that they would continue a school shutdown Monday because three deaths from probable A/H1N1flu were reported Friday.

Editor:Qin Yongjing