The World Health Organization suspects a new strain of swine flu has killed as many as 68 people and made more than one thousand people ill across Mexico. It also says it has "pandemic potential".

24 new suspected cases were reported on Saturday in Mexico city. Schools were closed and all public events were suspended in the capital until further notice.

On the same day, the Mexican government issued a special decree. It clarifies Health Department powers to isolate patients. And also to inspect homes, incoming travelers and baggage to curb an outbreak of swine flu.

The decree also says President Felipe Calderon has authority to invoke new powers if the situation requires.

Speaking at a news conference in the capital, Mexico City Health Secretary, Armando Ahued Ortega says authorities have effective medicine to treat people.

Armando Ahued Ortega, Mexico City Health Secretary, said, "Yesterday, there were no deaths recorded in the hospitals. That pleased us because till yesterday, we had one or two people die every day, but there weren't any yesterday. Those who are sick are improving. And the plans for the vaccine are already in place. And what's most important, we have effective medication to treat this flu."

Meanwhile, World Health Organization Director-General, Margaret Chan says the outbreak of the never-before-seen virus is a very serious situation. She also says it has the potential to have "pandemic potential". But she says it is still too early to tell if it will become a worldwide outbreak.

The WHO met on Saturday to consider declaring an international public health emergency.

That's a step that could lead to travel advisories, trade restrictions and border closures. But no decision was made during the meeting.

Experts at the WHO and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the nature of this outbreak may make containment impossible.

Meanwhile, the Mexican government says it has discovered the nature of the virus saying it is a combination of human, pig and bird strains.

Until now, more than one-thousand people have been infected in 14 of Mexico's 32 states. Tests show 20 people have died of the swine flue, and 48 other deaths were probably due to the same strain.

(CCTV April 26, 2009)