U.S., Mexican and Canadian leaders announced a combined effort Monday to combat the return of H1N1 swine flu this fall, and those measures are unlikely to include border closings, the Agence France Presse reported.
"We will remain vigilant and pledge to continue our close collaboration in addressing the H1N1 pandemic," said U.S. President Barack Obama, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mexican President Felipe Calderon in a joint statement in Mexico.
General border closings probably could not contain the virus and might make social and economic consequences of the pandemic even worse, they said.
"We will look to enhance our exchange of information, ensure common understanding of the effectiveness of public health measures, and share expertise," the three leaders said.
It is thought that the H1N1 virus will pick up strength in winter. "We three countries are preparing to confront this virus responsibly and minimize its impact for our people," Calderon said. In Mexico, where the death toll from swine flu advanced in recent weeks, a new public campaign will begin in October, the AFP said.
Worldwide, swine flu has killed 1,008 people, according to the World Health Organization.