With its sudden outbreak and unknown origins, the swine influenza has caused panic across the globe, with the World Health Organization even going so far as to raise a level 5 pandemic alert.
As is typical in most catastrophes, nations that lack funding and facilities to respond to calamities are often the hardest hit.
With seven confirmed deaths, Mexico is the country worst hit by this outbreak. Though the number seems small, the primary cause for alarm is the possibility of the flu’s mutation into a new virus that we have not developed an immunity against. This is why containment is essential to isolate the progression of the sickness. However, without outside help, the government of Mexico has been hard-pressed to respond to the disease, which means that the tragedy can and will worsen in the days to come.
The U.S. government must respond to Mexico’s growing problem as if it were happening in the States. The outbreak comes at an unfortunate time for Mexico. Just weeks ago, media attention was on the country for a wholly different reason: The rising incidence of drug-related violence, a problem that has very much escalated to an issue of national and international security. Due to this and other sensitive issues like illegal immigration, U.S.-Mexico relations have become strained.
While this new disaster threatens to put yet another dent in the already fragile relationship between the two nations, it does not have to be so. In the outbreak, the U.S. and Mexico find a common enemy and an unlikely opportunity to renew relations with one another.
While the two nations share a border nearly 2,000 miles long, the significance of their relationship is defined by more than just proximity. In terms of imports, as of 2005, Mexico is the United States’ third most important trading partner, behind Canada and China, while a staggering 60 percent of imports to Mexico comes from the States.
The combined trade volume between the two nations exceeded $300 billion in 2007.
Culturally, 25 million people in the United States trace their heritage back to the neighboring nation. For these and numerous other reasons, Mexico is a country that the U.S. cannot simply take for granted. That means extending help ““ whenever possible.
On many levels, the fate of Mexico affects the United States. The problem of Mexican drug cartels, for example, has increasingly become a cause for worry in the States. Illegal drugs are constantly being smuggled into the country, with violence following as a consequence. Poverty in Mexico, exacerbating illegal immigration, is yet another example of this interconnectedness. In the end, the United States helps itself by helping its neighbor.
As of Thursday, there have been 109 confirmed cases of swine flu in the U.S., with one confirmed fatality. This number is expected to rise in the days to come, due in no small part to frequent travel and interaction between the two countries.
The U.S. is not responsible for solving all of Mexico’s problems, but it must take the initiative to extend aid before the situation complicates further.
The aid need not be much. The key point is to not stand idly by while a neighbor, whose fate is very much associated with that of the United States, implodes in its own helplessness. A little diplomacy, benevolence, or both, is what these two nations need to mend their currently delicate relationship.
E-mail Ong at rong@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments to viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.