Source: Xinhua
04-30-2009 10:25
Special Report: Tech MaxBEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Swine flu continued to test nerves of countries around the globe on Tuesday, with the number of confirmed cases of infection rising in the disease's origin of Mexico.
The latest report of the Mexican health department said the number of suspected swine flu deaths has risen to 159, and the number of suspected cases has increased to 2,498.
The number of confirmed human infection in the United States has risen to 64, with at least seven patients having been hospitalized, while President Barack Obama asked Congress for 1.5 billion U.S. dollars to enhance U.S. and global capacity to respond to the potential spread of swine flu.
In a letter to lawmakers, Obama asked them for a supplemental spending plan to build drug stockpiles and monitor future cases.
He said the request was made "out of an abundance of caution" in order to "enhance our nation's capability to respond to the potential spread of this outbreak."
Canada reported seven more confirmed cases of swine flu on Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 13.
Although all the new cases are mild ones, public health officials warned of more severe cases which may result in deaths.
