City on alert for swine flu

A handful of Hamiltonians with links to Mexico are being monitored for swine flu after coming down with respiratory illness.

"We don't know whether some of the cases are swine flu or not, and we will know within the next couple of days," said Dr. Chris Mackie, associate medical officer of health. "Anyone who has been to Mexico and is displaying the relevant symptoms is being tested."

The European Union’s health commissioner has urged Europeans to postpone non-essential travel to the United States or Mexico due to swine flu.

Andorra Vassiliou met with EU foreign ministers on the subject as Spain reported the first confirmed case of swine flu in Europe.