Health officials in Argentina declared a state of emergency in the capital Buenos Aires on Tuesday after a 26th person died from H1N1 or Mexican flu.

The capital's mayor called on people to stay at home as much as possible in order to prevent futher spread of the virus. So far, there have been 1587 confirmed cases of Mexican flu in Argentina. Only Mexico and the United States have a higher death toll.

The government has not yet declared a nationwide health emergency but the flu is spreading during the southern hemisphere's winter. Health officials have brought forward winter vacations for several million schoolchildren and many hospitals are suspending non-urgent operations in order to make room for flu victims. The health ministry is also sending mobile clinics to poor neighbourhoods where the virus is spreading rapidly.