(UPDATE) Swine flu: a timeline
Agence France-Presse | 05/04/2009 4:08 PM
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PARIS - Here is a timeline of the spread of swine flu, known officially as "influenza A(H1N1)", since it was detected last month:
April 24
- The World Health Organization (WHO) announces that around 800 suspected cases of so-called swine flu have been recorded in Mexico, along with seven cases in the United States.
- Schools, universities, theatres and museums are closed down in Mexico City and the centre of the country to prevent the spread of the virus.
April 25
- WHO warns that the virus, identified as a member of the H1N1 family, has "pandemic potential." Mexico orders isolation of sick people.
April 26
- The United States declares a health emergency after the confirmation of 20 cases in the country.
April 27
- First three cases are confirmed in Europe.
- WHO raises its alert level from three to four on a scale of six, signalling a "significant increase in risk of a pandemic." It warns that no region in the world is safe from the virus.
April 28
- First cases confirmed in central America and the Middle East.
- Several countries suspend pork imports from infected regions.
April 29
- A 23-month-old Mexican child is the first confirmed fatality in the United States.
- WHO raises its alert level to five, calling on countries to prepare for an "imminent" pandemic.
- The first cases involving people who had not visited Mexico are confirmed in the United States, Spain and Germany.
April 30
- WHO adopts the term "influenza A(H1N1)" after veterinary experts point out that the virus is not occurring among pigs.
May 1
- Mexico begins a five-day shutdown over the holiday weekend in an attempt to contain the virus.
- A Mexican man visiting Hong Kong becomes the first confirmed A(H1N1) case in Asia.
May 2
- The WHO says there is no indication that A(H1N1) has begun to spread in a sustained manner anywhere outside North America.
May 3
- Mexican authorities say the flu outbreak appears to be declining after having peaked last week, with fewer people now being admitted to hospital and with less severe symptoms.
May 4
- The number of confirmed infections rises above 1,000.
- Mexico says it will begin to reopen schools, museums and theatres.
May 5
- A Texan woman becomes the first US citizen to succumb to the swine flu as the overall death toll rises to 31 -- two in the United States and 29 in Mexico.
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