NEW : 148 cases confirmed in H1N1 , up from 26 earlier Wednesday . `` This change to a higher phase of alert is a signal to governments , to ministries of health and other ministries , to the pharm industry and the business community that certain actions now should be taken with increased urgency and at an accelerated pace , '' Chan said . Some government offices , private business in Mexico to close from Wednesday . Researchers conducting complete genetic sequencing of the H1N1 virus . U.N. reports 9 cases in 9 countries .
NEW : 148 cases confirmed in H1N1 , up from 26 earlier Wednesday . Some government offices , private business in Mexico to close from Wednesday . Researchers conducting complete genetic sequencing of the H1N1 virus . U.N. reports 9 cases in 9 countries .