The number of Swine flu cases in the United States has now gone up to 40 and fears that the Swine flu outbreak will hurt travel, energy and the airline industry took its toll on the US stock market.
There is concern but no cause for alarm - that was the message from president Obama as the cases of swine flu in the United States doubled in 24 hours, going up from 20 to over 40.
But behind the reassuring words, the Obama administration is preparing as if the outbreak were a pandemic.
"We're very concerned and that's why we're taking very aggressive measures," said Richard Besser, Acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The US has issued a travel advisory warning Americans to cancel non-essential visits to Mexico where there have been nearly 150 deaths due to Swine Flu. US customs have began checking people entering the country.
"What we're going to be doing at the borders is doing passive screening, asking people about fever and illness, looking for people who are ill," said Dr. Richard Besser.
Concerns about the potential economic impact of the outbreak sent stocks tumbling.
- Dow Industrials down 51.29 points at 0.64 per cent NASDAQ Composite down 14.88
- Points, at 0.88 per cent S&P500 down 8.72 points, at 1.01 per cent
Of the 40 cases of Swine Flu reported in the US, one person as been hospitalized. Why Swine Flu has caused deaths in neighboring Mexico but has been mild in the US is a mystery health authorities have been unable to solve.
