Another case of swine flu was reported Wednesday just as the Geneva-based World Health Organization Wednesday raised its alert level for the fast-spreading swine flu to its next-to-highest notch, signaling a global pandemic could be imminent.
“There are now eight cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) in San Diego County,” Health & Human Services Agency spokesman Tom Christensen said.
More details were expected to emerge about the latest case at a 3:30 p.m. news conference at which San Diego County Public Health Officer Wilma Wooten will provide an update on developments around the county.
In other news, customs agents have stopped and cleared 41 people with flu like symptoms at U.S. borders and are awaiting test results on eight more. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano cited the numbers as she explained why no tightening of the U.S. border was needed. She said the novel swine flu virus already has spread into this country and others and that it's too late for border closures to contain the spread of the flu.
None of the 49 people stopped so far at the border was detained for more than a few hours. She didn't say where along the border people were stopped. Because symptoms may arise later, officials are handing out cards explaining the flulike symptoms to arriving travelers.
