The Latest: Global Fears; Open Borders; More Cases

Good morning. We'll start the day with a quick look at some of the latest news:

— The Associated Press — Health Officials Fear Large Number Of Deaths: "World health officials are very worried about the potential for massive numbers of deaths worldwide from the mutated virus, even though the epidemic so far has claimed only a confirmed eight lives in Mexico and one in the United States. Roughly 170 deaths are suspected of having been caused by the virus in Mexico. Switzerland on Thursday became the latest country to report a swine flu infection — a 19-year-old student who health officials said was mistakenly released from a hospital and then hastily readmitted. European Union health ministers planned emergency talks in Luxembourg to coordinate national efforts in preventing the spread of swine flu in Europe."

— NBC News — Mexico Shuts Down Most Of Government And Economy: "Mexico's government is suspending all nonessential activity of the federal government and private business as the number of confirmed swine flu cases jumped."

— The New York Times — "Containing Flu Is Not Feasible, Specialists Say": "Experts on the global movement of flu say ... the world ... must bow to the inevitable: closing borders would not only fail to stop the virus, but would also cause economic collapse and possibly add to the death rate."

(Related: On the morning TV news shows today, Vice President Joe Biden repeated the administration's view that it would be a mistake to close U.S. borders.)

— NPR.org — "Flu Prompts A World Of Different Reactions": "Political leaders and public health authorities around the globe are grappling with a fundamental question as new swine flu cases are reported daily: how to address the problem but not exacerbate it."

— The Seattle Times — "Six Probable Swine Flu Cases Identified in Washington": "Six probable cases of swine flu have been identified in Washington State — three in Seattle, two in Snohomish County and one in Spokane County, public health officials announced at a news conference Wednesday evening in Seattle."

— USA TODAY — "States, Hospitals Roll Out Emergency Plans": "Health departments and hospitals are shifting into emergency mode as clusters of swine flu develop across the USA, and some are activating pandemic plans for the first time."

— The Wall Street Journal — Mexican Officials Don't Think Farm Was Source: "Mexico's top government epidemiologist said Wednesday that it is "highly improbable" that a farm in the Mexican state of Veracruz operated by Smithfield Foods Inc. is responsible for the nation's swine-flu outbreak. Miguel Angel Lezana, the government's chief epidemiologist, said in an interview that pigs at the farm are from North America, while the genetic material in the virus is from Europe and Asia."