Study: Swine flu may be up to 23,000 in Mexico; Castro blasts Mexico for slow response

MEXICO CITY — The swine flu virus spread to more countries Tuesday as scientists estimated the new strain could have sickened 23,000 people in Mexico alone before anyone realized it was an epidemic.

Scientists say swine flu may have sickened 23,000 in Mexico; Cuba, Thailand join infected list

MEXICO CITY — The swine flu virus was confirmed on Tuesday to have spread to more countries as scientists estimated the new strain could have sickened 23,000 people in Mexico alone before anyone realized it was an epidemic.

Swine flu spreads; Mexico raises death toll but lets millions of children return to school

MEXICO CITY — Mexico welcomed millions of children back to school Monday with masks, thermometers and globs of hand sanitizer, as scientists estimated the new strain of swine flu could have sickened 23,000 people before anyone realized it was an epidemic.

Report says more swine flu cases than reported, rapid spread justified warnings

WASHINGTON — The number of cases of swine flu may have been several times higher than reported and the potential for rapid spread of the illness justified the World Health Organization’s decision to raise the global pandemic alert, a new study concludes.

Experts: Swine flu could boost some sales for drugmakers, but how much depends on severity

TRENTON, N.J. — The swine flu might appear to be a business bonanza for makers of flu vaccines, but big profits are far from a sure thing — and production of a vaccine poses some financial risks.

Analysis of Gates Foundation grants shows reach of the world’s largest philanthropy fund

SEATTLE — A new study of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation illustrates its global reach with spending on health issues, but notes a need for accountability on whether the money is being spent in the most effective way.

Scientists warn swine flu virus could quickly morph from mild to deadly

WASHINGTON — A flu virus is a powerhouse of evolution, mutating at the maximum speed nature allows. A mild virus can morph into a killer and vice versa.

Swine flu: ‘Pandemic’ is a scary word, but death tolls vary widely

NEW YORK — In the next few days, the swine flu outbreak may become the world’s first official influenza pandemic in 40 years. That won’t be welcome news, but it’s not as scary as it sounds.

HEALTHBEAT: Step-by-step guide to help doctors ask about patients’ hidden drug, alcohol use

WASHINGTON — If more doctors started asking, would more drug and alcohol abusers ‘fess up so they could get help?

Global scientific community taken by surprise by swine flu _ did it miss warning signs?

LONDON — For years, scientists have warned a global flu epidemic is imminent, but the world’s attention focused on bird flu — not swine flu.

PROMISES, PROMISES: A checklist of Obama’s promises shows the big ones are still to come

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has not yet achieved the big campaign promises he’ll be judged on years from now, on health care, war, the economy and so much more. It’s early, it’s a colossal load and Rome wasn’t built in 100 days.

16 dead in flu outbreak; Mexico closes schools, studies strain for link to new US flu

MEXICO CITY — Mexico City closed schools across the metropolis of 20 million Friday after at least 16 people died and more than 900 others fall ill from what health officials suspect is a new strain of swine flu. World health officials worried that it could mark the start of a flu pandemic.

Clinical testing firm that approved bogus medical experiments will go out of business

WASHINGTON — A Colorado company that was recently snared by congressional investigators for approving bogus medical tests is closing its doors.