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Mexican inmates riot over H1N1 flu visit limits

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-05-20 17:10

MEXICO CITY -- Inmates at a Mexico City prison rioted Tuesday over restrictions on visits due to A(H1N1) flu, as the country reported two more confirmed deaths, raising the toll to 74 nationwide.

Policemen wearing face masks to prevent contagion by A(H1N1) flu virus, walk in front of a travel agency in Mexico City in April 2009. [Agencies]

Inmates at the city's southern penitentiary burned mattresses, hurled rocks and damaged prison installations before riot police regained control.

Nobody was injured, according to Juan Jose Garcia, the city's assistant secretary of government. He told local media the prisoners were upset because visiting hours were cut, and the number of visitors per inmate was reduced in an effort to prevent A(H1N1) flu from gaining a foothold in the facility.

Inmates at Mexican prisons often depend on relatives to bring them food and money.

Meanwhile the Health Department reported two new confirmed A(H1N1) flue deaths, but said the epidemic is in decline.

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All but seven of the 74 dead who contracted A(H1N1) flu got it before April 23, when the new strain was identified and officials declared emergency measures, the department said in a statement.

The country reported 88 more confirmed cases of the virus, including the two deaths, bringing the total to 3,734.

Mexico closed many businesses and schools in late April to limit the spread of the flu. By Monday, all students were back in classes.