Toll Free: 888.243.2358 Outside U.S.: 610.254.8769

Health & Security News Alert - from HTH Travel Insurance

Email this Page
Unable to send email

May 11, 2009. Government Warning Issued for Mexico

SOURCE:Air Security International

The U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Alert on 8 May 2009: "The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens of the health risks of travel to Mexico at this time due to an outbreak of 2009-H1N1 influenza. On April 27, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a notice recommending that American citizens avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico. Although conditions in Mexico appear to be improving, that notice remains in effect. The CDC's notice also suggests precautions that travelers and U.S. citizens resident in Mexico can take to reduce their risk of infection while in Mexico, provides recommendations for those who must travel to an area where cases of 2009-H1N1 influenza have been reported, and recommends measures travelers should take following their return from an area that has reported cases of 2009-H1N1 influenza. The complete CDC notice can be found at the following link: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/. Please check this site frequently for updates. This Travel Alert replaces the Travel Alert dated April 28, 2009 and provides updated information on closings of schools and commercial venues in Mexico and U.S. consular operations throughout Mexico. This Travel Alert will be reviewed and updated as necessary, and is valid until further notice."

"The World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Alert and Response Network (GOARN), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have sent experts to Mexico to work with health authorities."

"The Government of Mexico restarted high school (grades 10-12) and university classes on Thursday, May 7. All other schools throughout Mexico from kindergarten through middle-school level (up to and including grade 9) will reopen on Monday, May 11. Museums and most tourist attractions are reopening on a staggered basis; please check with the site directly for hours. The Mexico City government allowed restaurants to reopen on Wednesday, May 6. Other Mexico City establishments where large numbers of the public gather including bars, discos, night clubs, movie theaters, gyms, and convention centers reopened on May 7."

"Effective Wednesday, May 6, American citizen services resumed normal operations at the U.S. Embassy and at consulates nationwide. All nonimmigrant visa operations at consular posts in Mexico will resume normal operations on Monday, May 11; some nonimmigrant visa applicants will be seen on Thursday and Friday, May 7 and 8. All nonimmigrant visa applicants will be contacted directly by the scheduling service about their rescheduled appointments. Immigrant visa appointments will resume normal operations on Monday, May 18. Further information on rescheduling immigrant visa appointments is available on Ciudad Juarez's web page at http://ciudadjuarez.usconsulate.gov/."

"The U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens in Mexico that most cases of influenza are not 2009-H1N1 influenza. Any specific questions or concerns about flu or other illnesses should be directed to a medical professional. Mexico City medical authorities are urging people to avoid hospitals and clinics unless they have a medical emergency, since hospitals can be centers of infection; instead, those with health concerns are encouraged to stay home and call their physicians to avoid potential exposure. Although the U.S. Embassy cannot give medical advice or provide medical services to the public, a list of hospitals and doctors can be found on our website at the following links: http://mexico.usembassy.gov/sacs_medical_info.html (Spanish) http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/eacs_medical_info.html (English)."

Copyright © 2009, Air Security International, Inc.


The views expressed are solely those of the author and/or source and are not necessarily the views of either HTH Worldwide or its partners and affiliates. Similarly, the accuracy of this article is solely the responsibility of the author and/or source.