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US confirms 2nd H1N1 flu death in Texas

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-05-06 09:44

Full coverage:  A（H1N1）Influenza Outbreak Related readings: WHO: flu virus constantly changing Some fear flu rebound as Mexico seeks 'normalcy' New swine flu cases in Europe, US, Latin America Little boy, far from home, 1st US swine flu death US has first death from swine flu

Other pandemics have started with a mild new virus in spring that has come back to cause severe disease later in the year. The WHO said it would begin sending 2.4 million treatment courses of Roche AG's and Gilead Sciences Inc's Tamiflu, an antiviral proven effective against the new flu, to 72 nations, including Mexico.

Fukuda said the WHO was still trying to answer the most pressing questions, including why more people have died in Mexico than anywhere else.

"More people have had mild illness than have had severe illness," Fukuda said. "The reasons for that are not clear. I don't think it reflects differences in treatment."

Most of those who have become ill with the new flu, including in Mexico, have recovered with little or no treatment.

Economic Fallout

Mexico began to return to normal, but a five-day lockdown ordered by the government to try to slow the influenza's spread cast a pall on the normally exuberant Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

Mexican Finance Minister Agustin Carstens said the outbreak could knock as much as half a percentage point off growth this year.

Because the flu seemed both mild and unstoppable, the CDC eased recommendations for closing schools in the United States when children or teachers had infections, but advised parents to keep sick children at home to prevent further spread.

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