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Obama calls Mexico president about A(H1N1) flu

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-05-03 20:52

WASHINGTON -- US President Barack Obama is working with Mexico's president on ways to keep the A(H1N1) flu from spreading further and says the US will be ready if the flu strain develops into something worse.

In this image released by Mexico's Presidency, Mexico's President Felipe Calderon, left, wearing a protective face mask as a precaution against A(H1N1) flu, visits a laboratory for clinical analysis in Mexico City, Thursday, April 30, 2009. [Agencies]

Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon spoke for 20 minutes Saturday to share information about each country's efforts and the importance of close US-Mexican cooperation, the White House said.

A(H1N1) flu has caused only one confirmed death in the United States. But medical authorities fear the flu could become much worse.

About a third of the 160 confirmed US cases of A(H1N1) flu are people who had been to Mexico and likely picked up the infection there. But investigations indicate many newly infected people are getting the illness inside the United States, and that it probably still is spreading, said Dr. Anne Schuchat of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CDC officials said the agency knows of confirmed cases from 21 states, with Connecticut, Florida and Missouri the latest to join the list.

"This is a new strain of the flu virus, and because we haven't developed an immunity to it, it has more potential to cause us harm," Obama said Saturday in his weekly radio and Internet address. "Unlike the various strains of animal flu that have emerged in the past, it's a flu that is spreading from human to human. This creates the potential for a pandemic, which is why we are acting quickly and aggressively."

Full coverage:  A（H1N1） Influenza Outbreak Related readings: Mexican A(H1N1) flu death toll at 19 WHO confirms flu in 17 countries Obama outlines steps against flu China suspends flights from Mexico Over 400 US schools closed for flu

The virus, which has claimed far more victims in Mexico than elsewhere, has not proved as potent in the US.

Obama recapped his administration's efforts. They include asking schools with confirmed cases of the flu virus to close for up to 14 days; urging employers to let infected workers take all the sick days they need; and reminding Americans to wash their hands often, cover their coughs and stay home if ill.

Obama has asked Congress for $1.5 billion to buy more medicine and equipment if needed.