By Jose Enrique Arrioja and Hugh Collins | Bloomberg | Apr. 30, 2009
April 30 (Bloomberg) -- Mexican officials said the federal government will suspend all non-essential services and urged businesses to close to reduce the risk of spreading swine flu.
“For many families, the measures taken have involved a sacrifice,” President Felipe Calderon said in a nationally televised address. “It is worth it if we can protect the health of our own.”
Lab tests have shown eight deaths caused by the virus out of 99 confirmed cases of infection, up from seven and 49 respectively at the previous count, Health Minister Jose Cordova told reporters late yesterday in Mexico City. Cordova said there were 17 new deaths from suspected swine flu, raising the total to 176.
The World Health Organization warned yesterday that the first influenza pandemic since 1968 is “imminent” and urged stepped-up preparations after swine flu was confirmed by lab tests in at least nine countries and 11 U.S. states. The WHO raised the level of its six-tier alert system to 5, indicating little time remains for countries to complete emergency plans.
The outbreak in Mexico may cut gross domestic product by 0.3 percent to 0.5 percent, though the impact should be short- lived, Finance Minister Agustin Carstens said at the same news conference. While the situation is serious, Mexico’s health system has the capacity to handle the situation, Cordova said.
Non-essential government activities will be suspended from May 1 to May 5 in an effort to reduce the chance of workers and the public spreading disease. The central bank and other financial-related services, as well as state-owned oil company Petroleos Mexicanos, will continue to operate as usual.
Oil Meeting
Officials from the oil company will meet today to discuss what non-essential operations can be suspended, spokesman Carlos Ramirez said in a phone interview.
All “substantial operations” will continue as usual including refining, production and gasoline stations, he said.
Calderon also urged businesses to close from May 1 to May 5 in order to minimize infection. Banks, pharmacies, airports, bus companies and supermarkets will remain open.
Mexico’s health system has enough medicine to treat 1 million cases of flu, Calderon said.
Of the 99 confirmed cases, 83 were located in the federal district that includes Mexico City. There are suspected cases in every state.
Mexico’s federal government has canceled classes for all students through May 6 and urged businesses where crowds of people gather, such as night clubs and theaters, to shut their doors. The capital’s government has ordered that all restaurants, movie theaters, convention centers and gyms shut down.