Swine flu virus may cause global pandemic: UN chief

A deadly swine flu virus strain could unleash a new global pandemic, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned Monday, after the probable death toll from the disease rose to 149 in Mexico. "We are concerned that this virus could cause a new influenza pandemic. It could be mild in its effect or potentially be severe," Ban told reporters. "We don't know yet which way it will go but we are concerned that in Mexico most of those who died were young and healthy adults."