Around the World: Mexico

H1N1 impact cited

Mexican Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova Villalobos told a business conference the outbreak of H1N1 flu in the nation had cost 0.7 percentage points of gross domestic product, or about $4.29 billion.

The figure has more than doubled the official estimated loss of around 0.3 percentage points due to the shutdown of schools, state offices and business, with crowded shopping areas deserted during late April and early May.