A New Outbreak of AH1N1 Virus is "Imminent," Mexico City Health Secretary Warns

July 11, 2009 (LPAC)—Mexico City's Health Secretary, Armando Ahued, is calling on health personnel to start mobilizing, as an outbreak of the AH1N1 virus is "imminent" as the city moves into the winter season.

The capital could expect developments similar, or worse, than what is now occurring in Chile or Argentina, Ahued said. "We can't let our guard down," he told a gathering of directors of hospitals and 220 clinics on July 7, adding that the virus has already mutated eight times since its appearance last April, and could do so again and become even more lethal in coming months.

To meet this challenge, Ahued said, by August the city government will launch a prevention campaign, reactivating emergency measures that have been relaxed. Soon afterward, it hopes to have a government-run laboratory operating that will be able to perform quick tests of samples to diagnose the virus. With 500,000 pesos, it is also purchasing all necessary equipment, such as respirators, as well as stockpiling antivirals.

Ahued announced that IBM has donated software to the city that will allow it to closely monitor the virus's evolution, and create a data base that will be shared by all the city's clinics and hospitals.