Mexico Prepares to Shut Down Capital

Mexican authorities scrambling to contain the swine flu outbreak have closed schools and universities across the country and are considering a total shutdown of the capital, reports the Financial Times. Some businesses have remained open in Mexico City, but people are avoiding bars and restaurants, and the public transport system may be closed down as part of quarantine measures.

"If someone sneezed everyone would back away as if the person had the plague," said one rider on Mexico City's subway, where many passengers wore masks. The virus—suspected to have caused 149 deaths in Mexico alone—has now been confirmed in Spain and England, and authorities across Europe are investigating dozens of other possible cases.
(More swine flu stories.)