Australia remains on influenza A/H1N1 alert

Special Report: World Tackles A/H1N1 Flu 

CANBERRA, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Australian Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon said on Wednesday that the threat level to Australia from influenza A/H1N1 was not downgraded despite there being no confirmed cases of the disease in the country.

"We do have medical experts saying to us we still don't know how this global virus will develop over future weeks," Roxon told reporters in Melbourne.

According to Australian Associated Press, Roxon said she had been advised the appropriate status should remain at a delay phase, which means the government was trying to delay entry of the disease into Australia.

There has no confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 in Australia at this stage.

The government was hopeful the present status could be maintained, Roxon said.

S Korea sends $500,000 in aid to flu-hit Mexico

Special Report: World Tackles A/H1N1 Flu 

MEXICO CITY, May 5 (Xinhua) -- South Korea on Tuesday formally presented the Mexican government with 500,000 U.S. dollars worth of aid to help the country fight A/H1N1 flu, Mexican media reported.

The shipments includes facemasks, thermometers, latex gloves and refrigerators for blood samples that will be delivered to Mexico on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively, South Korea's ambassador to Mexico, Whan-Bok Cho said.

Also on the list are liquid soaps, disposable diapers, sponges impregnated with alcohol, disposable medical smokes and other sterile disposable clothing.

Cho said that the international community should show recognition, appreciation and support for the great efforts made by Mexico to fight the flu crisis.

Latest official figures show that the A/H1N1 flu has infected 913 people and killed 29 in Mexico.

The ambassador said that Mexico has taken the right decisions and its people have confidence in the government's ability to control and overcome the health emergency.

"We are sure the Mexican government has taken the correct and effective decisions, which have already given rise to positive results," Cho said, adding that his country is ready to continue helping Mexico.

He also reiterated the solidarity of the South Korean government and people.

Lourdes Aranda, Mexico's deputy Foreign Minister, responded that the donation sends a valued message showing South Korea's friendship with Mexico, which is appreciated more than ever during tough times.

Gov't: Mexico's tourism hit hard by A/H1N1 flu

Special Report:
World Tackles A/H1N1
Flu

MEXICO CITY, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Mexico's tourism has been hit hard by the
outbreak of the A/H1N1 flu, the Mexican government said Saturday.

The occupancy rate for major tourist sites in Mexico is expected to decline
by 44.8 percent in the coming ten days, Mexican tourism authorities predicted.

Tourism Minister Rodolfo Elizondo told a press conference that a series of
cultural, business and academic activities in Mexico have been canceled,
including the world pediatrics conference which had been expected to draw some
4,000 podiatrists worldwide.

In such resorts as Cancun and the Maya coast, the occupancy rate of hotels,
which should have been flooded with tourists in this season, has decreased to
77.8 percent since April 23 when the government announced urgent anti-flu
measures.

He also confirmed that such countries as Cuba, Canada, Argentina, Ecuador,
Peru and Chile have canceled their flights to Mexico, while the number of U.S.
tourists to Mexico has seen a sharp fall.

The minister asked the country's tourism centers to conduct a precise
analysis of their economic losses caused by the outbreak of A/H1N1 flu, which
was previously reported as swine flu, to workout a remedy.