Migrants worried about swine flu outbreak

(1 May 2009) SHOTLIST 1. Migrant workers pruning grape vines in vineyard 2. Worker pruning vine 3. Worker washing hands 4. United Farm Worker representative talking to workers 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Juan Manuel Moran, Regional Director, United Farm Workers (UFW): "They have relatives in Mexico, and maybe they came from Mexico to visit the workers, and that's why we need to be sure they know how to deal with this flu." 6. Workers seated during break 7. Two workers on break 8. SOUNDBITE (English) Teresa Serreno, Migrant Worker: "Right away I make a call and say, 'behave' because this is not only in Mexico, it's in different places, but it started, always more in Mexico. I know they need to do things to not get the virus." 8. UFW representative educating workers about swine flu, handing out literature 9. Tight shot of handout with information in Spanish 10. Worker reading handout 11. Wide of worker in vineyard STORYLINE: As migrant workers from Mexico begin their journey north to take summer jobs in fields and construction sites across the US, public health officials and others are fanning out to intercept them at food lines and churches in hopes of stemming the spread of deadly swine flu. Workers at a vineyard in San Lucas, California were briefed on Thursday by officials from the United Farm Workers union on swine-flu symptoms and prevention tips. UFW Regional Director Juan Manuel Moran said it was important the workers knew how to deal with the virus. Worker Teresa Serreno said she telephoned her family in Mexico straight away to make sure they were taking the necessary precautions. She said her two daughters had recently arrived in the US from Mexico. Industries such as agriculture and meat packing rely on an influx of thousands of seasonal workers each year. Officials worry that some of those labourers may be ill and could infect co-workers and others in the US. The travelling population of poor farm workers, day labourers and construction workers poses a challenge for authorities, who say it can be difficult for people to wash their hands or go to the hospital if they lack running water or fear deportation. Mexican consular officials, social service organisations and health authorities are handing out Spanish-language fliers with swine flu information. They are sending out mobile health care crews in buses or vans. And they are urging workers who feel sick to go to the hospital or a free clinic. The global outbreak apparently began in Mexico, where it is suspected of causing nearly 170 deaths and sickening about 2,500 people. The first flu death in the US was confirmed on Wednesday: a toddler from Mexico City who was visiting Texas with his family. If seasonal labour trends mirror last year's, the number of agricultural workers in the US will grow to about 700-thousand by June and peak at 828-thousand by September, according to US Department of Agriculture figures. It is unclear how many are from Mexico. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...