Mexico Flu Response | ABC30 Fresno | abc30.com

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By ABC30

Monday, April 27, 2009

Fresno, CA -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swine Flu: General Information
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Don't shake hands, don't go to the movies - if possible don't go out at all. That is the government's advice to Mexico City residents as they struggle to contain this deadly outbreak of swine flu. If they are trying to scare people, it's working.

Brenda Morales of Mexico City said, "I am very afraid myself…all my relatives are staying home."

This city of 20 million people is getting increasingly nervous, and in response the government has ordered concert halls like this and other public institutions to close their doors.

All schools have been closed, and all public events cancelled for the next 10 days. In public many people are wearing face masks.

This pharmacist says she has sold 1,000 masks in the past 2 days, and has run out of anti-flu medicine. Already reeling from drug violence, the government fears this outbreak could further damage its tourism industry.

Some people said they thought the government was overreacting.

But with the death toll rising and nobody sure how big the epidemic will get, most Mexicans are not taking any chances.