Newlink is the Mexico Tourism Board’s New Agency for Public
Relations in the United States
THE MEXICO
TOURISM BOARD & THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM REPORT THAT NO TOURISTS CURRENTLY
IN MEXICO
HAVE BEEN INFECTED BY THE H1N1 INFLUENZA VIRUS
Mexico City, Mexico; April 29, 2009- 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.
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.
About the Mexico Tourism Board
The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources
of federal and state governments, municipalities and private companies to
promote Mexico’s
tourism attractions and destinations internationally. Created in 1999, the
MTB is Mexico’s
tourism promotion agency, and its participants include
members of both the private and
public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout
North America, Europe, Japan and Latin America. For more information on destinations and online trip bookings
please go to www.visitmexico.com .
FOR PRESS ONLY: For additional ideas, help with a
story or general travel and tourism information
about Mexico,
please contact the MTB’s U.S. Press Room directly at
1-800-929-4555, by e-mail at northamericanpress@visitmexico.com
or visit our press Web site at www.visitmexicopress.com
