Influenza Outbreak in Mexico and the USA

On April 22, Mexico’s Ministry of Health issued a nation-wide alert about the outbreak of a flu-like virus that has caused the deaths of some sixty people and infected many others.

Cases of the same flu virus have also been reported in the USA, although all patients recovered.

The current strain is said to be a rare combination of swine, avian and human flu and the World Health Organization (WHO) is monitoring the situation closely, although the outbreak remains a so-called “Category 3: No or very limited human-to-human transmission.”

The majority of reported cases have been in the country’s capital, Mexico City, although cases have also been reported in the states of Oaxaca, San Luis Potosi and Baja California.   Local media sources reported that deaths due to the virus have diminished; indicating that authorities’ concerns about a potential “surge” in infections and death has not come to pass.

The American State Department has not yet issued any travel warnings for Mexico; the Canadian Foreign Office has issued a travel advisory and the British and Commonwealth Office has also issued an advisory to make travelers to Mexico aware of the presence of the outbreak and asking people to contact a doctor if they show flu-like symptoms during or soon after travel to Mexico.

Mexico City’s mayor has closed all schools, night-clubs and cinemas have been shut, and sports events – such as soccer matches – are being played without any public audiences present.   The city’s authorities are meeting later today to discuss whether the schools closures should be extended into next week.  These are all precautions being taken to attempt to quell the spread of the virus.

The Minister for Health, in a statement yesterday, advised people to take a number of sensible precautions such as refraining from close contact with people who have a cold or flu (it’s customary to kiss and shake hands when meeting and departing as a matter of social routine in Mexico); to keep homes and offices well ventilated and allow sunshine to pour in where possible; to use a paper tissue when sneezing or coughing, etc.

Many people in the capital are choosing to wear masks, which have been selling-out at stores and pharmacies across the capital.   The efficacy of these is doubtful given that the flu virus is much smaller than the pores of the masks commonly sold in retail stores.

Related Article: US, Britain Issue Travel Alerts