Associated Press

…“Mexico, in contrast (to other nations named in full story), deserves the whole world’s thanks for its forceful, costly and very public response, which included a near-total shutdown of the nation’s public life that cost the country $3.5 billion.

“It helped slow the initial spread of the virus and gave other nations more time to prepare, said World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan.

“Mexico gave the world an early warning, and it also gave the world a model of rapid and transparent reporting, aggressive control measures, and generous sharing of data and samples,” Chan said Thursday during a two-day summit of health ministers in Cancun.

“Just how effective Mexico’s draconian response was will take some time to determine, because scientists will have to compare what was done with what might have happened had the country done nothing, said Nancy Cox, who leads the influenza division of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“However, they were so courageous to do what they did. It impressed the entire world,” Cox said.”

Source: Associated Press,July 4, 2009