Swine flu contagion in Spain

The number of swine flu cases continues to rise in Spain, which maintains close diplomatic, business and family relations with Mexico. There are now 13 confirmed cases of swine flu in Spain and 84 suspected cases in 12 different jurisdictions in Spain, according to the latest data supplied by Spanish Minister of Health Trinidad Jiménez at a meeting of the extraordinary council of the EU in Luxembourg.

The greatest number of suspected cases appears to have emerged in Andalucia, Spain’s southernmost autonomous community, and also in Valencia on the Mediterranean shore. Confirmed cases have appeared in Castilla-La Mancha (2), Catalonia (6), Valencia (1), and the Basque Community (1). The six cases in Catalonia have now been released but remain under observation. All appear to be responding positively to treatment.

All of the confirmed cases of swine flu reflect travelers who recently retruned from Mexico. One of the new suspected cases consists of a student of Murcia who is a student at the Polytechnic University of Cartagena who has remained in isolation since April 28 after showing flu-like symptoms. He had returned on April 22 from a sojourn to Mexico and is now stable and evolving well, according to sources at the local health department.

Spanish Health Minister Jiménez will meet with the health ministers of all of Spain’s autonomous communities (provinces). Despite rising concerns on the Iberian Peninsula, the Vice Minister of Government María Teresa Fernández de la Vega said on April 30 that there is currently “no cause for alarm” but that there is cause for “seriousness and precautions.” Said Fernández de la Vega, “At the moment, all policy protocols have been activated and total coordination” who also insisted that no livestock in Spain is currently affected by the swine flu virus and that there is no danger from the consumption of pork products. Spain is famed for its hams, some of which are from free-range swine that feed on acorns.

Health Minister Jiménez, for her part, said that Spain currently has 10 million doses of anti-viral drugs and therefore has “enough to confront the current situation” and confirmed that the nation’s military is also involved in producing medication. Spain currently has a population of 46 million, including an indeterminate number of illegal immigrants – many of whom are from Africa or Eastern Europe.

Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Miguel Ángel Moratinos said that Spain has no plans for evacuating its citizens from Mexico, even while its embassy and consulates are on “permanente alert” because of the rapidly expanding radius of the swine flu contagion. He insisted that Spain’s expat community in Mexico is “tranquil.” So far, he has not voiced an opinion as to whether or not Spain should suspend direct airline flights to Mexico.