MEXICO CITY, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The government of Mexico City is launching a massive vaccination campaign throughout the city against swine flu, which has possibly killed 45 people and infected 943 nationwide.

A man wearing a mask walks past a Mexican flag in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, April 24, 2009.  (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    The Mexican government confirmed on Friday the outbreak of the swine flu, and warned people to avoid crowds.

    "It's a virus which mutated from pigs and transmitted to some human," Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova told Televisa television.

    Health officials are now investigating the possible deaths and infections caused by the virus. Virus samples have been sent to laboratories in Canada for testing, they said.

People wearing masks wait at a health center in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, April 24, 2009. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    The government also decided to close all schools in Mexico City and the center of the country to avoid spreading of the virus.

    The World Health Organization, which has identified swine influenza as a potential source of a human flu pandemic, has also activated its global epidemic operations center. 

Mexican gov't confirms 16 deaths in flu outbreak

    MEXICO CITY, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Mexican Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova reported on Friday that a total of 16 people had died in Mexico from the outbreak of a new type of influenza.  

    Cordova said that the number of deaths was confirmed after virus studies, and the samples were sent to labs in Atlanta, the United States. Full story

Mexican president holds emergency meeting on flu outbreak

    MEXICO CITY, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Felipe Calderon on Friday held an emergency meeting at the Presidential Office with ministers, health authorities and experts to discuss measures to deal with the deadly flu outbreak.

    Calderon also decided to inform Mexicans about the nationwide flu outbreak. Full story