US Swine Flu Cases Hit 40; Mexican Death Toll 149

The US is now confirming 40 cases of swine flu, while the death toll in Mexico is thought to have risen to 149, the Wall Street Journal reports. Of more than a thousand suspected cases in Mexico, only 26 have been confirmed, along with six in Canada and one in Spain, the WHO reports. The European Union's health commissioner warned today against traveling to North America "unless it is very urgent." The US' Centers for Disease Control, however, called that pronouncement unwarranted.

The World Bank is loaning Mexico $200 million to help it deal with the outbreak, which has spread to a suspected 1,614 cases. Mexico City has closed all of its schools until at least May 6, as the military distributes 4 million filter masks. Airports around the world are now screening travelers for symptoms. (More swine flu stories.)