WASHINGTON, Apr 27, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- U.S. officials are trying to raise
public awareness about the swine flu outbreak without raising undue alarm, a
White House spokesman said Monday.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs also reiterated President Barack
Obama's health was not jeopardized by his recent visit to Mexico, considered
ground zero for the outbreak of swine flu Mexican officials blame for at least
149 deaths.
"The president, as I mentioned (Sunday) and on many other previous occasions,
has not exhibited any symptoms that would require that to be of concern," Gibbs
said, adding he was not aware of anyone traveling with Obama to Mexico in early
April exhibiting "any symptoms that would cause some reason for concern."
Given that the European Union health commission recommended not traveling to
parts of North America, Gibbs said U.S. and world health officials are "hedging
a bit more on the notion that more public information is important so that
people can take the necessary precautions."
In a separate news conference, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said
she spoke with Mexico's ambassador to the United States "so that our governments
are moving in tandem." She said she also would speak with her Canadian
counterpart because "we really have a tri-national approach to the flu issues."
She noted that both the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta and the U.S.
State Department issued travel alerts encouraging people to avoid non-essential
travel to Mexico for the time being. In addition, the traveler's health alert
notices were being posted in the airports, and tear-sheets were being
distributed to travelers at land ports.
In Mexico City, the U.S. Embassy's consular services for U.S. citizens will be
limited to citizenship applications and emergency assistance only through
Thursday, the State Department's Web site said.
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Copyright 2009 by United Press International