The World Bank is giving Mexico more than US$200 million in loans to help the country tackle a recent outbreak of swine flu, Mexican Finance Minister Agustin Carstens said on Sunday.

Carstens said US$25 million will be used for immediate needs like purchasing medicine and medical equipment, while another 180 million in loans will deal with long-term needs.

He made the remarks in a press briefing at the spring meetings of World Bank and the International Monetary Fund held in the US capital of Washington.

(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2009)