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04/27/09
Cancun, Mexico & U.S. Flu Update For Travelers
Filed under: Cancun Tourism, Cancun Swine Flu/AH1N1
Posted by: Dangers @ 6:19 pm

Breaking News: World Health Organization Raises Alert status to five (5) of six (6), the second highest level, indicating swine flu nears widespread human infection and pandemic level. Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the
virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most
countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase
5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to
finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the
planned mitigation measures is short.

04/29/09 Mexico Travel and World Influenza Update

1) Reports indicate that the first confirmed U.S. fatality from swine flu in Texas of a 23 month old child.
2) Cruise Ship Industry cancels Mexico Ports of call temporarily.
3) In Cancun, no confirmed cases of swine flu.
4) In Cancun and Playa Del Carmen, voluntary efforts by local bars, clubs and restaurants to limit clientele.
5) All Archaeological sites in Mexico closed until further notice by INAH.
6) Most Canadian Flights canceled to Mexico.
7) UK based Thompson Travel and First Choice cancel Mexico flights and tours temporarily to Mexico.
8) Suspected new swine flu cases in multiple US States.
9) Wikipedia Swine Flu Map: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_swine_flu_outbreak

     Confirmed deaths     Confirmed cases     Unconfirmed cases
10) First confirmed case of Swine Flu in Germany
11) Cancun reporting estimated 30% loss in Hotel business, 50% in restaurant industry and limited tourist activity in retail areas.



04/28/09 Mexico Travel and World Influenza Update

1) Transat Airlines and its travel arm announced today that all future flights to Mexico have been canceled. Air Canada has canceled all flights to Cozumel, Cancun and Puerto Vallarta until June 1, 2009, flights for the time being will continue oddly enough to Mexico City. http://www.aircanada.com/en/news/trav_adv/090426.html Sunwing Vacations is canceling all flights and trips to Mexico until May 29. http://www.sunwing.ca/mexicoadvisory.asp
2) The government of Cuba announced that all flight to and from Mexico have been canceled.
3) City officials in Mexico City announced the cancellation of almost all public events within the city as Mexico City and her people have become gripped with fear in the ongoing influenza outbreak. City officials stated they would have ceased all mass transit operations for the public but the decision was not in their hands but in the hands of the Federal Government.
4) Swine Flu AH1N1 cases have been confirmed in Israel and New Zealand.
5) Carnival Cruise Lines has canceled all cruise stops in Mexico from April 30 to May 4.
6) Thompson Travel in the UK has canceled all flights to Mexico for upcoming tourists and travelers.
7) From the CDC:

Chart: U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection as of 4/28/2009, 11:00am ET. Number of confirmed laboratory cases by state. California: 10; Kansas: 2; New York City: 45; Ohio: 1; Texas: 6. Total Case Count: 64 cases.
    
8) The WHO Influenza Phase Alert system remains at “4″.
9) Reports from Quintana Roo, Mexico, the home state to Cancun indicate that despite inferences from media reports that there has been no confirmed cases of the new swine influenza.
10) The Minister of Tourism in Mexico indicates that they expect a 40% loss in tourism by Friday.
11) A report from the newspaper Diario de Quintana Roo has a local health official recommending local Mexicans not to travel to points in Mexico, Central and North of Quintana Roo and the Yucatan Peninsula.
12) All major Maya Archeological sites in Quintana Roo have been ordered closed due to the influenza outbreak. It is believed that all publicly accessible archeological sites will be closed until further notice throughout Mexico. http://www.noticaribe.com.mx/cancun/2009/04/cierran_todas_las_zonas_arqueologicas_de_mexico.html
13) Airline Policy Changes Courtesy of Apple Vacations: http://www.applevacations.com/showStatic.do?command=showStaticPage&targetPage=/static/promotions/update/airline_policies.htm

Dangers…

*********************************************

04/27/09: Update


Good evening folks, this one is another serious blog in what has become a follow up to a nightmarish weekend for people across the continent and travelers with itineraries in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The business at hand is of course the Swine Influenza (Flu) AH1N1 outbreaks occurring in multiple areas of Canada, Mexico and the U.S. with a currently, potential, expanding incident in Spain, yet another in Scotland and the UK, along with suspected but unconfirmed incidents in Columbia, Israel and New Zealand. Mexico City continues to be the epicenter of the Swine Flu outbreak with 149 suspected (not all confirmed) deaths considered influenza related and over 1,995 hospitalizations for suspected flu like symptoms.

Here at Living on Isla Time we regretfully inform that we cannot provide travel advice for people concerned with whether they should or should not go to the above areas, particularly North America at this time. We’re not passing the buck but facing reality, we’re not in the business of providing medical consultations for travelers and don’t plan on starting now. As you may have ascertained the situation is considered serious by health officials worldwide and anyone with health and/ or travelers concerns to these regions should seek advice from the Center For Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), their national government and/ or local officials, and medical professionals. Please do not hesitate to contact your local physician or hospital should you be experiencing Flu like symptoms.

However, what we will try and provide is important news as available and updates for travelers as we obtain them. Please remember, we are not primarily a news site and do not update 24/7. We also call them as we see them and the information here may not necessarily be agreeable to you but the opinion is ours, we’ll try and make it worth your visit either way.

A short month ago, I was sitting in Cancun, Mexico, enjoying Mojitos after a day at Coba and a visit to Playa Del Carmen, quite frankly, I never could have suspected we would be here today discussing swine flu. Trust me, I symphathize with those with travel plans, vacations and what not in Mexico and elsewhere under these stressful travel conditions. But, please let’s not forget to think of those in Cancun, and all of Mexico, and the rest of the areas of the world facing this situation as we follow this story.

Now after that disclaimer let’s roll with what we have to date;

1) The WHO Status Report was raised one level today to a Phase 4 Alert:

2) The CDC Report: Newsworthy is the number of confirmed cases doubled today to 40 in the U.S. on the disclosure of 20 more students in a NY school testing positive.

3) Wiki Map (Courtesy of Wikipedia)

     Confirmed cases followed by death     Confirmed cases     Unconfirmed or suspected cases See also: Live map of swineflu, H1N1 live map

4) Important Links:
    WHO: http://www.who.int/en/
    CDC:  http://www.cdc.gov/
   
5) Airline Links: Note, many Airlines are offering adjustments, waiving rebooking fees and rescheduling for trips to Mexico and other flights.  http://www.avhome.com/airlines.html

6) News From Mexico:
    Diario de Yucatan: http://www.yucatan.com.mx/default.asp
    Novedades: http://www.novenet.com.mx/
    Milenio: http://www.milenio.com/portal/index2.php
    Por Esto: http://www.poresto.net/

7) Confirmed and Suspected Cases by Country:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_swine_flu_outbreak

8) Earlier today the Health Minister of the European Union requested travelers to avoid the U.S. and Mexico unless absolutely necessary.

9) Today, the U.S. Government requested travelers to avoid unnecessary travel to Mexico.

10) Mexico has issued special powers to President Calderon in an effort to combat the outbreak.

11) As of now, there’s no absolute travel ban for international travelers but most major airports are monitoring passengers especially those from the U.S. and Mexico.

12) There’s still no confirmed cases of Swine Flu AH1N1 in Cancun or the State of Quintana Roo.

13) Cancun, Mexico is operating as normal.

14) Schools have been closed all over Mexico until at least May 6, 2009 and most public functions in and around Mexico City have been delayed or curtailed. Rumors persist of a shut down of mass transit in Mexico City but no shutdown has occurred to our knowledge as of this time.

15) A four year old from the small town or Perote, well west of Veracruz, Mexico, is now believed to be the first victim of the new swine flu strain. The boy lived near a large local pig farm operated by U.S. and International Pork Company “Smithfield Farms, Inc.” Press reports from Mexico reported that almost 1/3 of the residents of the town came down with flu like symptoms that they blamed on the pig farm. Smithfield Farms representatives told DowJones.Inc that they found no signs of swine influenza within the farm. Swine Flu is typically transmitted between pigs but on occasion has been known to move to humans as is the situation with the current Swine Flu outbreak. http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200904271833DOWJONESDJONLINE000645_FORTUNE5.htm

16) An estimated 26 flights on average arrive daily from Mexico City to Cancun. Passengers are being monitored for symptoms of flu and are being asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding past health history and previous location.

17) All other flights are operating normally, or as normally as can be maintained given the current situation, there are reports that major travel agencies are canceling large tours to certain areas. There was also a news report of a flight canceled to Cancun from Germany this afternoon, another from Spain, and yet another from Canada. Local Hotel operators in Cancun are reporting canceled conventions and tour groups while on the Island of Cozumel, there’s reports of canceled cruise ship docking of 2500 passengers and the start of cancellations of cruise ships from the U.S. as per local officials. It is anticipated that passenger bookings on flights into Cancun and other areas of Mexico will be canceled or decrease as a result of the official statements today and the outbreak.

18) Public events are slated to be canceled in Cancun based on reports, a parade scheduled for May 1 and other coming events with public sponsorship.

19) The WHO has not recommended the closing of borders and the restriction of international travel at this time.

Signing off and safe travels…

Dangers…

 

comments (0)
Update 04/27/09: Influenza/ Flu in Mexico & U.S.
Filed under: Cancun Tourism, Cancun Swine Flu/AH1N1
Posted by: Dangers @ 7:00 am

*Updated* 07:00 AM EST, 04/27/09*
In breaking news, the European Union Health Minister has asked Europeans to avoid travel to the U.S. and Mexico in a public statement today; “they should avoid traveling to Mexico or the United States of America unless it is very urgent for them.”
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h3ZNCUiVfgylV5zHLtpSyZ25×93wD97QOU4O1

Authorities in Spain have confirmed the first case of related swine influenza…

In a syndicated story, the Health Minister of Spain stated that his office is now reporting one confirmed case of influenza and is investigating 17 other potential cases.

The case is believed to be the first case confirmed in Europe and indicates the virus has made the transmission and jump to  Europe from the North American continent. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/5229715/Swine-flu-Spain-confirms-first-case-in-Europe.html

*Updated* 01:00 AM EST, 04/27/09*

Late Sunday night a report from Notimex has quoted the Mexican Health Secretary as stating that over 1600 people have been hospitalized in Mexico City thus far and 103 people are dead from suspected conditions related to the recent influenza outbreak. http://www.sipse.com/nota.php?id=34541

Mexican President Felipe Calderon has intensified measures to deal with
the outbreak. An emergency has been decreed that allows the government
special powers. Those include running tests on sick people and ordering
them into isolation. Canada, the US and Mexico are the only countries with confirmed human cases of swine flu.

The World Health Organization said Saturday that the outbreak in Mexico is a “public health emergency of international concern.”

 

*Updated: 3:00 PM EST, 04/26/09*

Currently, the continuing breaking news on the influenza/ flu situation
in Mexico and the U.S.indicates that the WHO, the CDC and the Ministry
of Health in Mexico are all still investigating the situation. The alerts as of this time remain the same as previous from the WHO:  “The current WHO phase of pandemic alert is 3.”

In Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico, there has not been any cases of confirmed swine flu influenza as of this reporting and travel to and from remains as scheduled.

There has been no “No Travel Alerts” Posted as of this time by either the WHO or the CDC for the U.S. and Mexico.

The U.S. President is stated to be convening a meeting today in Washington, D.C. to establish a plan of action for prevention and treatment in the United States. There have been very limited but confirmed reports of swine flu in California, Kansas, New York, Ohio and Texas.

*The United States has declared a Public Health Emergency via the Homeland Security Department as of Sunday, April 26, 2009. http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/26/swine.flu/index.html

U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
State # of laboratory
confirmed cases
California 7 cases
Kansas 2 cases
New York City 8 cases
Ohio 1 case
Texas 2 cases
TOTAL COUNT 20 cases
International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
See: World Health OrganizationExternal Web Site Policy.
As of April 26, 2009 9:00 AM ET

A previous press report of a British Airline employee being a possible victim of swine flu after a flight return from Mexico is now confirmed as “not” being swine flu.

There are also reports of a potential but yet unconfirmed, limited outbreak in New Zealand.

*Canada is reporting 6 confirmed cases as of late Saturday evening, 4 in Nova Scotia and 2 in British Colombia.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/04/26/mexico-swine-flu.html?ref=rss

In Mexico City, the influenza outbreak is being taken quite seriously with most public functions being scaled back or canceled as a precautionary measure. Schools in the Federal District have canceled classes until at least May 6, 2009, courts have been shut down, museums and zoo’s closed, and religious services curtailed. The government is issuing hospital style face masks to mass transit passengers and major air terminals are being monitored for passengers with signs of influenza.


Young couple in Mexico City kiss amid flu concerns.
(Courtesy of Yucatan.com.mx)

Currently, over 1300 cases of influenza have been reported in Mexico City with only a handful being confirmed as the new strain of swine flu at this stage though that number may be expected to increase.

 We here at Living on Isla Time caution those reading many of the mass media reports that are filled with limited factual reports and rife with anecdotal information. Please follow respectable news reports and maintain awareness through sites available via the WHO, the CDC, the Ministry of Health in Mexico, and other government health agencies.

A map being updated with flags with areas of confirmed swine flu cases is being maintained here:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=p&msa=0&msid=106484775090296685271.0004681a37b713f6b5950&ll=35.924645,-86.484375&spn=15.280401,28.300781&z=5

CDC Recommendations

CDC has NOT recommended that people
avoid travel to Mexico at this time. If you are planning travel to
Mexico, follow these recommendations to reduce your risk of infection
and help you stay healthy. http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluMexico.aspx

CDC Recommendations

CDC has NOT recommended that people
avoid travel (U.S.) at this time. If you are planning travel to these areas,
the following recommendations will help you to reduce your risk of
infection and stay healthy. http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluUS.aspx 

World News Related:

Below is an article, as translated, from the wire services, courtesy of Diario de Yucatan in Mexico, relating the precautions being taken by Mexico’s Latin American neighbors and countries in South America;

Bogota, April
25 (EFE) .- The fear that the epidemic of swine flu that Mexico suffers
from spreading to the rest of America rose today, with the WHO’s
warning that the situation is “very serious” and recognition by part of
the U.S. that it would be impossible to stop the virus.

  From Geneva,
the World Health Organization (WHO) warned of a possible pandemic by
swine influenza virus and urged the international community to redouble
its vigilance.

  However, the emergency committee
of the WHO decided not to declare the danger of global epidemic,
although the WHO Director General Margaret Chan warned that “the
situation is evolving very quickly and is unpredictable.”

  In Mexico, where there have been 20
deaths from swine flu and another 40 are being investigated, President
Felipe Calderón announced today by presidential decree that assumes
full control of the state of health emergency in the country.

Mexican Finance Secretary Agustin Carstens said in Washington that it
is “anticipated”, with the information that exists, declare the
outbreak of swine flu in his country “a more epidemiologic event.” warned today that although only eleven cases have been detected in
swine flu in the country, the virus spreads easily and can not contain.

The situation is very serious and we are
very concerned, “said Anne Schuchat, director of public health at CDC,
who warned that the situation in Mexico could quickly move to their
country because the new virus is very contagious easy and impossible to
contain it.

Nine of the eleven cases that occur in the country are concentrated in
the border states of California and Texas and two in Kansas, the center
of the country, but there are a number of ongoing investigations along
across the country.

One is a school of 75
secondary school in the county of Queens in New York, some of whom
recently traveled to Mexico and experiencing the same symptoms as swine
flu, with nausea, fever, dizziness and pain.

  The symptoms of swine flu,
a traditional strain of subtype H1N1 (influenza seasonal) that of
mutual pigs to humans are: fever over 39 degrees, which is so sudden,
cough, severe headache, pains muscles and joints, irritation of the
eyes and nasal discharge.

  The other countries in the region continued today
pending the situation in Mexico and United States yesterday after
activating emergency health plans.

  Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador,
Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Panama activated yesterday from
the protocols, which include controls at ports and airports on
passengers coming from Mexico.

Today they were joined by Argentina, Costa Rica, Honduras and Dominican Republic.

 In Chile, visitors must pass through a scanner checking for fever symptoms and those who are directly admitted to hospital for doing more detailed analysis.

  In the
Eldorado airport in Bogota, a passenger from Mexico had to undergo a
medical examination, after presenting some symptoms, but eventually
ruled out any kind of infection.

  The
Brazilian government has established, in addition, an emergency
department to assess the evolution of the outbreak in Mexico and
indicate measures to prevent the virus from entering the country.

  In Argentina, the
authorities issued an epidemiological alert and called on those
responsible for the airline Mexicana, Aeromexico and Delta Air Line to
inform crew and passengers from Mexico and the U.S., if present any
symptoms of swine flu has been reported immediately.

  The region of
Callao, where the main port and airport in Peru, was declared a health
alert today on top to prevent entry of persons carrying the virus.

  Guatemala,
which borders the north by Mexico and by the time the event has not
adopted the measures of prevention and health ministry asked the
inhabitants of border areas that do check-ups if they suspect an
abnormality.

  Nicaragua also restricted imports from Mexico pig,
among other measures, although the Mexican and United States claim that
the consumption of pig products does not entail a risk of contagion.

  In the case of Honduras, health authorities said
the health alert, and President of Honduras Manuel Zelaya, Calderón
telephoned to express their solidarity by the emergency Mexicans living.

  In Europe, the Spanish Ministry of Health asked the pilots of flights
from Mexico to report on any passenger who has symptoms of swine flu,
in addition, aircraft have to carry equipment or protective enough.

Belgian health
authorities decided not to advise against travel to Mexico and now, are
the persons who travel or return to the country on some measures of
prevention.

  Japan also
joined the checks and installed at the airport in Narita a control
system for Mexican flights, where a device will measure the temperature
of travelers.

http://www.yucatan.com.mx/noticias/versionimprimible.asp?cx=9$1051040000$4061242


*Updated: 5:30 PM EST, 04/25/09*

Currently, the World Health Organization has set up an emergency
meeting today to discuss the influenza strain in question, Swine
Influenza A/H1N1, and folks traveling should follow their subsequent
reports and announcements. 

April 25, 2009 WHO Meeting Statement: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2009/h1n1_20090425/en/index.html

Link to WHO Audiocast: (Note; this one is not recommended for lower speed ISP’s)

http://terrance.who.int/mediacentre/audio/press_briefings/VPC_25APR2009swine_influenza.mp3

Current WHO Status as of April 25, 2009

http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090425/FOREIGN/704259992/1001/%27%20admcdfp_sitename%20%27

I think we should be careful not to downplay or make light of the current situation for travel within North America, especially to the areas effected until more knowledge is known of the influenza strain and its risk levels.

On the other hand, there’s no indication that people should be moving towards the other extremes, hysteria or panic styled reactions based on the current reports.

In short, we’re in a wait and see mode, and this is just not a
Mexico situation but currently a North American continent situation.

(Courtesy of Por Esto)

We’re also seeing reports from Mexico that major airports in Mexico, especially those with frequent air links to Mexico City including Cancun have established medical checkpoints though it’s unclear what the criteria being used is and that in Mexico City where the influenza is being taken very seriously, officials are checking mass transit passengers on trains and buses. From the Cancun Airport, there’s been reports of some passengers arriving wearing medical face masks, and reports of a basic medical questionnaire request from authorities though it’s not known as of this time if this is a requirement for all passengers. The reports from Por Esto, a local paper in the Mexican State of Quintana Roo and home to Cancun is that the questionnaire is an eight question request for passenger information regarding basic influenza signs and history.

http://www.poresto.net/quintana-roo/31802-evitan-realizar-escala-en-el-df 

(Courtesy of Por Esto)

In Cancun and all of Quintana Roo, there’s been no confirmed cases
of the new strain of influenza, currently being identified as swine
influenza A (H1N1) or is there a recent record of confirmed influenza
outbreaks in the area.

As per the Center for Disease Control, there’s currently no vaccine for the new strain.  http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm 

There’s also confirmed reports of limited activity of the new strain in both Texas and California.

The main area of the new strain influenza outbreak appears to be in the Mexico City area of Mexico with two other localized events. Keep
in mind the area in and around Mexico City is home to 22 million
estimated people and as of the last reports I’ve seen the outbreak has
reported 800-900 cases of influenza with only a handful currently
confirmed as the “new” influenza strain.

In our opinion we would recommend folks follow the reports available from the CDC and the World Health Organization for future updates. http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_04_24/en/index.html

Other organizations of note: The Ministry of Health, Mexico: http://www.salud.gob.mx/

                                         

Dangers…

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