Tuesday, April 28, 2009

All US Posts in Mexico Suspend Services

The US Embassy in Mexico has released an April 27 Public Announcement Update on the flu outbreak in the country. The US Embassy in Mexico City and all U.S. Consulates throughout the country have now suspended all non-essential services to the public until May 6.

“On April 27, the Government of Mexico announced that as a precautionary measure, all schools throughout the country from kindergarten through university level will remain closed until May 6. All government-sponsored events involving large crowds in Mexico City have also been canceled, and museums and most tourist attractions are closed. […] Additionally, U.S. consulates in Mexico will suspend some nonimmigrant visa operations until May 6, but may see a limited number of applicants. More information will be provided on April 28, 2009 about nonimmigrant visa operations at U.S. consulates. If visa operations need to be suspended beyond May 6, we will inform the public as soon as possible.”

The announcement also states that operations at the U.S. consular agencies throughout Mexico may be curtailed. “Several are closing to the public entirely for walk-in services, seeing the public by appointment only.”

The US Mexico Mission covers all the nine US Consulates in Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara, Hermosillo, Matamoros, Merida, Monterrey, Nogales, Nuevo Laredo, Tijuana and the 13 Consular Agencies in Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Cancún, Ciudad Acuña, Cozumel, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Oaxaca, Piedras Negras, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta, Reynosa, San Luis Potosí and San Miguel de Allende.

See US Embassy Mexico’s Public Announcement page.

Updated: 1:08 PM I should add that according to the WHO update (see Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response for daily update) as of 27 April 2009, the United States Government has reported 40 laboratory confirmed human cases of swine influenza A(H1N1), with no deaths. Mexico has reported 26 confirmed human cases of infection with the same virus, including seven deaths. Canada has reported six cases, with no deaths, while Spain has reported one case, with no deaths.

Although the alert has been bumped up to phase 4, the WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders. "It is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities. There is also no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products. Individuals are advised to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and should seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness."

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