Posted on 04/30/2009 4:40:53 PM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to the latest information regarding H1N1 Influenza A. The Mexican Secretariat for Communications and Transportation has announced enhanced health screening for all international passengers departing Mexico from the following six airports: Mexico City (Benito Juarez), Guadalajara, Monterrey, Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, and Puerto Vallarta. Any passengers displaying obvious flu-like symptoms may have their temperature taken by health officials; tests for the H1N1 virus may then be administered to those with fevers. Passengers with high temperatures or testing positive for the H1N1 virus will be denied boarding. All passengers should allow ample time for any delays the new health screening may add to the check-in process at the airport. At this time, the Embassy does not know of any plans to expand this screening to other airports or to arriving passengers, but the traveling public should be alert to this possibility. Other than the health screening, neither the U.S. government nor the government of Mexico has imposed any restrictions on travel between the U.S. and Mexico.
On April 30, 2009, the government of Mexico expanded nationwide the closure of federal government activities, and urged the closure nationwide of all establishments where large numbers of the public gather, including restaurants, bars, discos, night clubs, cinemas, movie theaters, theaters, gyms, and convention centers. The closures are expected to last until May 6.
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico, as well as all U.S. Consulates and all U.S. Consular Agencies will follow the lead of Mexican federal government offices and close on Monday, May 4, 2009. The Embassy had already been planning to close on the Mexican holidays of Friday, May 1 and Tuesday, May 5. The U.S. Embassy will reopen on Wednesday, May 6, 2009. For any emergencies before that time, please contact the Embassy duty officer at 011-52-55-5080-2000, ext. “0”. The Embassy in Mexico City has also decided to suspend processing of nonimmigrant visa appointments scheduled for Wednesday, May 6 through Friday, May 8. These are precautionary measures only, taken to ensure the well-being of our clients and staff. Our appointment scheduler will contact applicants to reschedule their appointments. If there are emergency visa issues please email visas_mexico@state.gov for assistance.
For further information about H1N1 flu, including steps you can take to stay healthy, please consult the Department of State information at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_pandemic.html, the United States Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu, and the World Health Organization website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html. For additional travel safety information, please consult the State Department's website at www.travel.state.gov.
Too bad they couldn’t be this excited about the drug war.
Fort Worth has closed its entire school district, as have a few other school districts in Texas. 36,000 people die in the US each year from matters connected with regular flu. One person, let me repeat that number, ONE (a visitor from Mexico, no less), has died in the US from swine flu. Are we nuts or what? Recipe for distaster: a problem (usually minor) plus government bureaucrats; recipe for unmitigated disaster: problem (usually minor) plus government bureaucrats plus a bunch of lawyers. I suspect lawyers are the main drivers behind the school closings. Just swell.
flu virus ping
Sounds like Singapore has its s**t together in handling a public health situation. I still don’t know, however, whether this is an over-reaction on their part, or a complete under-reaction and misleading of the public on the part of the American health authorities.
U.S. Embassies have a preference for understatment.
The Brits are ususally more forthcoming in their travel advisories.
Travel Summary
* The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 5. See the WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html for further details.
* We are now advising against all but essential travel to Mexico.
* Routine Consular and all Visa Services at the Embassy in Mexico City have been suspended until further notice. British Nationals in Mexico, who have an urgent consular issue should call the Embassy on (01 55) 5242 8500 for assistance.
* British nationals resident in or visiting Mexico may wish to consider whether they should remain in Mexico at this time.
Thank You Mexico.
Ping (Thanks, DvdMom!)
I did not know Mexico was a Communist Country that celebrated May Day?
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