WHO says it's "too late" to contain swine flu, plus Q&A; US and China firms sign trade deals; Hamas-Fatah talks resume; Sri Lanka blocks UN; and more
Top of the Agenda: Pandemic Fears Spread
Fears that the recent outbreak of swine flu in Mexico and a handful of other countries could morph into a full-scale international pandemic spread yesterday following the World Health Organization's announcement that it would raise its alert level to Level Four, indicating the disease has already shown sustained human-to-human transmission. The BBC quotes one WHO official who says it is "too late" to contain the spread of the virus from country to country and that officials should instead focus on mitigating its effects.
The number of reported deaths from the outbreak rose to 152 in Mexico, and cases of the virus have now been detected in five U.S. states, Canada, Spain, Britain, New Zealand, and Israel. South Korea also reported a probable case.
The Washington Post reports signs have emerged that the outbreak could be beginning to take a toll on the already fragile global economy--yesterday, the Post reports, oil prices, the Mexican peso, and airline stocks all plunged.
The Mexican paper The News looks at how the crisis is affecting Mexican markets. The Financial Times looks more broadly at how it is weighing on markets in London today.
The New York Times, meanwhile, looks at tightening border security measures in many countries around the world.
Background:
- In a new interview with CFR.org, Michael Osterholm, a leading expert on infectious disease, argues that travel restrictions are unlikely to stem the spread of the disease and urges against a policy overreaction that might include new trade barriers.
- CFR's Laurie Garrett assessed the threat yesterday in a media conference call (audio here).
- The Wall Street Journal has a Q&A explaining the disease.
PACIFIC RIM: U.S.-Chinese Business
Chinese and U.S. firms signed thirty-two new trade and investment contracts (Xinhua) yesterday following meetings between the two countries' top commerce officials.
KAESONG: South Korea's unification minister said demands from North Korea for wage increases at the jointly run North Korea-South Korea industrial complex at Kaesong could threaten (Yonhap) the complex's business viability.
ELSEWHERE:
New intra-Palestinian talks to start today in Cairo.
Sri Lanka blocks UN aid unit, EU diplomat.
This is an excerpt of the CFR.org Daily News Brief. The full version is available on CFR.org.