08:58, 04 May 2009 | GMT +5
WHO urges increased flu watch
MEXICO CITY. May 4. KAZINFORM. Mexico?s health secretary said the swine flu epidemic in his country ?is now in its declining phase,? even as the US and five other countries in Europe and Latin America reported new cases yesterday. The World Health Organization (WHO) urged increased flu surveillance in both humans and animals now that the H1N1 virus strain has infected pigs in Canada; Kazinform refers to Arab News.

China quarantined more than 70 Mexican travelers and Hong Kong isolated 350 people in a hotel as a precaution even though no new swine flu infections appeared in Asia.
Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa called the action ?unjustified? and warned Mexicans against visiting China. Ambassador Jorge Guajardo was refused access to 10 people held at Beijing Guomen Hotel.
The death toll in Mexico remained at 19 and Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova said ?evolution of the epidemic is now in its declining phase.? The global caseload was nearing 800 and growing ? the vast majority in Mexico, the US and Canada. Colombia yesterday reported South America?s first confirmed case of swine flu a day after Costa Rica reported the first in Central America.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports began screening passengers using thermal imaging cameras as a precaution against the flu; Kazinform cites Arab News. See www.arabnews.com for full version.