New Cases of Mexican Flu in Belgium

A 23-year-old man from Antwerp has been infected with the Mexican flu, making it the second swine flu case in Belgium in one week. Six more ‘suspicious’ cases are being tested.
New Cases of Mexican Flu in Belgium
5/18/2009
Updated:
5/18/2009
ANTWERP—A 23-year-old man from Antwerp has been infected with the Mexican flu, making it the second swine flu case in Belgium in one week. Six more ‘suspicious’ cases are being tested.

The man had recently visited Los Angeles and New York, where it is thought he picked up the virus.
 
After hospital tests indicated that he was infected with the Mexican flu, the young man was taken to the Sint-Pieters hospital in Brussels for further treatment. His condition is not critical.

Later, two of the man’s close friends were taken to hospital after they also developed symptoms of Mexican flu.
 
Influenza commissioner Marc Van Ranst says there is no connection to the first case of Mexican flu in Belgium. Earlier this week a 27-year-old man from Gent was the first person in Belgium who tested positive after a short stay in the U. S. His condition is also not critical.

Healthcare Minister Lauretta Onkelinx has said that Belgium will invest 152 million euros in finding a cure for the Mexican flu. This year the federal government will invest 90 million euros.