washington - the world ' s agencies hurried to avoid both a pandemic and global hysteria night as more possible swine flu cases reported from europe to new zealand and the u states declared a natural illness emergency . " it ' s not a time to panicked , " the white house said . japan , the outbreak ' s epicentre with up to 103 confirmed diseases , canceled some church services and closed markets and restaurants . few people ventured onto the sidewalk , and some wore gas masks . canada became the third country to announce cases , in six people , among some students who — met some old york city spring - breakers — got mildly ill in mexico . governments beyond asia promised to swine feverish migrants returning from disease - affected sites .
As many as 103 people in Mexico have died of swine flu.