La Gloria Mexico

Located east of Mexico City, La Gloria, Mexico, is believed to be a possible "ground zero" for the deadly outbreak of swine flu in April of 2009.FOX News: Swine Flu's Ground Zero? Residents Point to Farm

Four-year-old La Gloria resident Edgar Hernandez Hernandez reportedly contracted the swine flu in early April of 2009, weeks before the widespread outbreak.Sky News: Swine Flu: Is Pig Farm Town The Source?

In early April of 2009, four-year-old Edgar Hernandez was hospitalized with what is now known to be the H1N1 strain of swine influenza. Hernandez was believed to have contracted the virus from contamination for nearly pig waste.Sky News: Swine Flu: Is Pig Farm Town The Source? Virginia-based Smithfield Foods operates eight farms in the area, but the company claims testing has not shown a link between their facilities and the virus.FOX News: Swine Flu's Ground Zero? Residents Point to Farm

Although Hernandez recovered, many area residents believe he transmitted the virus to others in the village. As many La Gloria residents work in Mexico City, the area with the highest concentration of swine flu illnesses, many believe that it was transmitted from La Gloria to Mexico City, then across the globe. 34-year-old La Gloria resident Jose Luis Martinez stated that when they saw the symptoms of the outbreak on TV, they knew La Gloria was the source as the symptoms were exactly the same.FOX News: Swine Flu's Ground Zero? Residents Point to Farm