By Bill Brown, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-834908.mp3
Fort Worth – On Thursday Dallas organizers of the Pike's Park Cinco de Mayo celebration cancelled this weekend's festivities because they're concerned about the spread of swine flu. In Fort Worth, city officials cancelled Mayfest and other public events.
The decision to cancel Fort Worth events came after an emergency meeting at Fort Worth City Hall attended by the mayor, city council members, county health leaders and the police chief.
Mayor Mike Moncrief said concern about an escalation of swine flu prompted officials to cancel large events planned for this weekend: Mayfest; Cinco de Mayo; the Lancaster Lighting Event; and all programs at Fort Worth community centers. The mayor said the health of all citizens must be protected.
Moncrief: These are tough decisions affecting a lot of people, a lot of families, and a lot of businesses. They are precautionary measures by Tarrant County public health officials to slow the spread of swine influenza.
County Health Director Dr. Sandra Parker said her lab people are working day and night processing specimens from those who may be sick.
Parker: I can tell you that, overnight, I can't give you a total, but overnight, of the specimens that were processed, there were 21 new probables.
As of late Thursday, Fort Worth had three confirmed cases of swine flu and 32 probable cases. Mayor Moncrief says he sympathizes with parents who are missing work and paychecks to be at home with their children, but right now, nothing is more important.