At least eight students at a New York City high school probably have human swine influenza, but health officials said Saturday they don’t know for sure whether they have the same virus that has killed scores of people in Mexico.
A strain of the flu has killed as many as 68 people and sickened more than 1,000 across Mexico. The World Health Organization chief said Saturday the strain has “pandemic potential” and it may be too late to contain a sudden outbreak.
In light of the fact that swine flu cases in New York have been confirmed today, and that the students infected had recently made a trip to Mexico during spring break, I am dumbfounded as to WHY there are no restrictions at the border for people entering the country from Mexico. This is the time to take quick action to prevent infected individuals from entering the country until it is evident that the crisis has been contained in Mexico. I am asking the President and Congress, the Department of Homeland Security and Health & Human Services to ban entry from Mexico or visits to Mexico except in cases of dire emergency. I am asking that Congress take immediate action to protect the health and security of the citizens of this country.
Sincerely,
Teresa M.