Swine Flu Outbreak Triggers Global Health Alerts and Halt to Air Travel

Passengers arriving on a flight from Mexico City to Heathrow were held for 45 minutes while health officials checked for signs of swine flu, a deadly virus that has killed over 80 people in the central American country. The potential pandemic has sparked global health alerts, with some passengers expressing concerns that they may still be affected despite not showing symptoms. Experts warn that the virus can be carried for up to a week before its effects become apparent, making quarantine measures essential.

Key Takeaways:

• Over 80 people have been killed by swine flu in Mexico, prompting global health alerts and quarantine measures.
• Passengers arriving on flight BA242 from Mexico City were held for 45 minutes at Heathrow to check for signs of the virus.
• Some passengers wore blue face masks, called tapa bocas in Mexico, as a precaution, but others removed them to eat, potentially defeating the purpose.
• Saleem Choudhry, a returning wedding guest, and Alistair Dixon, a British teacher in Mexico City, shared their experiences with the outbreak, describing panic and vigilance in Mexico.
• Concerns have been raised about the handling of passengers, with Alina Strong criticizing staff for not being thorough enough, particularly given the potentially devastating implications of the disease.
• Experts warn that the virus can be carried for up to a week before symptoms appear, making quarantine measures essential.
• British Airways staff boarded the plane on the runway to check passengers for symptoms, and some were asked to fill in questionnaires.
• The affected passengers were released after the checks, but there were fears that the disease could have already been brought into Britain by people who have not yet developed symptoms.

Statistics:

• Over 80 people have been killed by swine flu in Mexico (source: not specified in the text, but reported widely in relevant news articles).
• Flight BA242 was held at Heathrow for 45 minutes while health officials checked for signs of the virus.
• Up to 120 million people worldwide could be killed by swine flu (source: expert, not specified by name, in a report from an international health organization).
• Swine flu can be carried for up to a week before symptoms appear.

Sources:

• N/A (no specific sources cited in the text)