Mexico City, Mexico – In spite of the health crisis resulting
from the Swine Flu (H1N1 influenza) detected in Mexico as well as the travel
alerts issued by the U.S. and other countries, the World Health Organization
(WHO) does not contemplate the closing of borders or restrictions of trips.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is recommending that people “avoid all
nonessential travel to Mexico,” but at no moment have they enforced a ban on
travel to our country. Health authorities are suggesting that tourists
should follow the recommendations provided by the Ministry of Health and
international health authorities, in order to prevent the infection and
spread of the virus.
Mexico’s Minister of Health, José Ángel Córdova, confirmed that over the
next few days, the government will have access to instant rapid result
testing detecting the virus in public health centers, to those who have
flu-like symptoms.
The Mexican Government has also taken aggressive preventive measures that
are directly in line with those recommended by the World Health Organization
(WHO) for this level of crisis. Some of these actions are:
* Massive distribution of face masks in Mexico City by members of the
military.
* Probability of public and metro transportation service suspension
until the situation is under control
* Recommendation of not assisting to large, conglomerated, public
events and to keep a distance of 6.5 feet when in company of someone
* Expedite the entrance of antiviral medication into the country which
will be managed under controlled prescription
* Preparing the call centers with proper information to attend, orient
and inform the public ( 1-800-44-Mexico)
The CDC in Atlanta said that there are two antiviral drugs to which the
swine influenza is susceptible; these are now being used successfully in the
treatment of people infected in the United States and Mexico.
Related
When asked about the position of the tourism sector, the Secretary of
Tourism, Rodolfo Elizondo, expressed that the industry is working with
federal authorities to confront this health crisis in a coordinated manner.
“We have launched a communication strategy in order to keep the industry and
tourists in the country informed on preventive measures.”
In addition, Oscar Fitch, CEO of the Mexico Tourism Board (MTB), said that
“all offices of the MTB abroad are ensuring that both business partners and
tourists who plan to travel to Mexico have all required official
information.”
It is essential to the Mexican government that all tourists have accurate
and timely information on the current situation. People arriving or
departing the country must be aware of all the information issued by the
health authorities. It is important to know that medical teams have been
deployed to conduct questionnaires to passengers about their health and any
symptoms of influenza so they can be sent to receive medical attention.
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