Borders Tighten as Swine Flu Deaths Hit 152

Countries are tightening borders and stepping up containment methods as the swine flu body count continues to rise, the New York Times reports. The disease is suspected in 152 deaths, all in Mexico; 50 US cases are now confirmed from California to New York City. Health officials in Japan and at least eight other Asian countries are now screening anyone arriving from North America.

China has also tightened its border, while Russia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan are prepared to quarantine any arriving passengers with flu symptoms. Indonesia has banned all pork from North America, despite experts’ assurances that the flu can’t be transmitted from pigs or by eating properly handled pork. France and Britain have both warned against non-essential travel to Mexico. (More swine flu stories.)