Travel Warning –  Swine Influenza and Severe Cases of Respiratory Illness in Mexico  -  Avoid Nonessential Travel to Mexico

As of April 27, 2009, the Government of Mexico has announced 18 laboratory confirmed human cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 infection. Evaluation is continuing to clarify the spread and severity of the disease in Mexico.

Suspect clinical cases have been reported in 19 of the country’s 32 states.  The World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Alert and Response Network (GOARN), and the CDC have sent specialists to Mexico to work with health authorities.

CDC has confirmed that seven of 14 respiratory specimens sent to CDC by the Mexican National Influenza Center are positive for swine flu virus and are similar to the swine flu viruses recently identified in the USA.

On April 25, the WHO Director-General declared this event a Public Health Emergency of International Concern below the rules of the International Health Regulations.

CDC and state public and animal health authorities are currently investigating  20 cases of swine flu in humans in California, Texas, Kansas, Ohio, and New York City. Some of the U.S.  cases have been linked to travel to Mexico.

Presently, only two of the 20 cases in the U.S.  have been hospitalized and all have recovered, but deaths are reported to have occurred in Mexico. CDC is concerned that continued travel by U.S.  travelers to Mexico presents a serious risk for further outbreaks of swine flu in the U.S..

CDC Recommendations

At this time, CDC recommends that United States  travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico.  Changes to this recommendation will be posted at http – //wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/.  

Please check this site frequently for updates.

When you have to travel to an area that has announced cases of swine flu –

Stay Informed

o  Check updates from the –

o Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

o Secretaria de Salud,

o World Health Organization

o  Monitor announcements from Mexico’s Ministry of Health and local government including information about affected areas, as not all areas are equally affected.

o  Follow local public health guidelines, including any movement restrictions and avoidance recommendations.

o  Be aware that Mexico is checking all exiting airline passengers for signs of swine flu.  Exit screening may cause significant delays at airports.

Prepare for your trip before you leave

Antiviral Medications –   Travelers from the USA going to Mexico who are at high risk of severe illness from influenza are recommended to take antiviral medications for prevention of swine influenza during travel.

The advised antiviral drugs for swine influenza are oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu