swine flu has hit 20 countries

Doctors have confirmed 985 cases of the H1N1 flu virus in 20 countries and, for the first time, a sick farm worker has infected pigs, according to the World Health Organization. A farm worker who had recently traveled to Mexico has infected a herd of pigs in Alberta, Canada, said Peter Ben Embarek, a food safety scientist at the WHO at press conference Sunday morning. The worker returned to the farm in mid-April and the animals began getting sick eight to 10 days later, Embarek said. The infection was mild, however, and the farm worker and pigs have recovered. On another front, some aspects of the swine flu threat appeared to be leveling off on Monday, as Mexican Health Secretary Jose Cordoba announced most businesses there would reopen Wednesday. Cordoba said that an ebb in the number of cases in Mexico was responsible for the decision, which would end a five-day closure of nonessential businesses to stop the spread of the new virus. Cafes, museums and libraries were among the businesses that would open their doors back up, but health officials still need to inspect schools before children are allowed back in, Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard said. U.S. OFFICIALS: Try to gauge reach of outbreak INTERACTIVE MAP: Track the virus FULL COVERAGE: What you need to know PHOTOS: The global swine flu outbreak VIDEO:Swine flu news In the Alberta, Canada, case, the virus that infected the pigs is the same H1N1 virus in circulation among people and there is no indication that the transfer between species has caused the flu bug to mutate to a new or dangerous form, Embarek said. FIND MORE STORIES IN: United States | Texas | Mexico | China | Hong Kong | New Zealand | South America | World Health Organization | Colombia | El Salvador | Costa Rica | Central America | Alberta | Swine flu | Northern Hemisphere | Southern Hemisphere | Spanish Flu | Pan American Health Organization "This is not a big surprise," he said, noting that officials had expected that pigs could be infected in areas where the virus is circulating. While farm workers are at risk of contracting H1N1 from pigs, Embarek stressed that people cannot become infected from eating pork. Both heat and the curing process used to make ham kill the virus, and the virus doesn't live long on surfaces, Embarek said. "You can continue to safely eat your prosciutto," Embarek said. The USA has confirmed 244 in 34 states, including one death, a Mexican toddler who was treated at a Texas hospital. Mexico is now reporting 590 confirmed cases of H1N1, including 25 deaths, according to the WHO. Even as Mexican officials say the virus appears to have peaked, the number of confirmed cases is increasing as laboratories test previously collected specimens. Scientists at the WHO say they don't yet know whether the outbreak has truly peaked, however. Also in Mexico, officials have chartered a plane to bring back dozens of their citizens who were quarantined while visiting China, including some who were taken to isolation from arriving flights. "I think it's unfair that because we have been honest and transparent with the world some countries and places are taking repressive and discriminatory measures because of ignorance and disinformation," Mexican President Felipe Calderon said. China's foreign ministry denied it was discriminating against Mexicans. The infamous 1918 flu pandemic, which killed 50 million people worldwide, began in the spring, became dormant in the summer and roared back to life in the fall, said WHO spokesman Gregory Härtl. Of the 10 pandemics over the past 300 years, about half have begun in fall or winter, while the other half began in the spring or summer, says Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. Hartl noted that flu season usually ends in the Northern Hemisphere at this time of year, as the weather warms up. Flu season in the Southern Hemisphere often begins at this time of year, however, as temperatures drop. WHO has confirmed one case in Colombia, as well as cases in Central America — one in Costa Rica and two in El Salvador. New Zealand also has had one confirmed case. Contributing: The Associated Press