Colombian Prez Catches Swine Flu

H1N1 now accounts for 70 percent of all flu cases worldwide, researchers say

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has swine flu and other South American leaders who met with him are being advised to watch out for flu-like symptoms themselves, The Associated Press reported.

"This isn't something that has us scared," Colombia's social protection minister said about his boss on Sunday. Uribe, 57, was still working by computer despite his illness, authorities said. 

He is the second Latin American leader to have caught the bug. Earlier this month Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, 69, was quarantined after catching the H1N1 virus. He has since recovered. 

Since its rapid emergence last year, researchers say swine flu now accounts for about 70 percent of all flu circulating the globe. A third of the world's population is expected to catch the virus within two years, according to the World Health Organization.

Read More: MSNBC, AP 
 

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