H1N1 influenza, or "swine flu" FAQ
Geographical impact
Why are people in Mexico dying from the virus but not in other places?
We aren’t sure why the virus appears to have worse outcomes in Mexico, but scientists around the world are trying to figure this out.
Unfortunately, it may be a matter of time before more serious cases begin appearing in the United States.
Should we close our borders?
The only reason to close borders would be if we thought we could contain the virus. However, the virus is already in a number of states within the United States so containment is not an option.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, more than 1 million people arrive each day by land, air and sea. The economic and social impact of closing the border and other points of entry would be enormous.
We are screening travelers at the borders and monitoring the health of incoming travelers.
We need to be cautious not to use our justified fear of this outbreak as an opportunity to stigmatize groups of people.
For more information, visit CDC’s H1N1 flu page.
updated 05/06/09
Return to the APHA influenza resources for health professionals home page.
