CRI听力：WHO Chief: Swine Flu Outbreak in Mexico Has Pandemic Potential

Mexico's swine flu outbreak has the potential to turn into a worldwide pandemic.

The head of the World Health Organisation Margaret Chan said the North American outbreak of a never-before-seen virus was a very serious situation.(www.hXen.com)

"I think that at this point in time, it is very important that all regions of the World Health Organisation work with our countries to heighten surveillance so that we know exactly whether this new disease is causing infection in human being in countries other than the US and Mexico. It is important because that kind of information needs to be factored into the consideration on the impact of this new and emerging infection."

She said it's "uNPRedictable" how the situation would evolve, urging other countries to "increase vigilance."

She called Saturday's emergency meeting to consider declaring an international public health emergency over the outbreak, which is believed to have killed 20 in Mexico and sickened at least eight in the US.

Mexico has closed schools, museums, libraries and theatres in a bid to contain the outbreak, which may have sickened about 1,000 people there.

The WHO head warned the new virus is still poorly understood and the situation is evolving quickly.

China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine issued an emergency notice Saturday night requiring people to report flu-like symptoms at the point of entry when coming from the deadly swine flu affected places.