This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to the latest information to the current health situation in the Yucatan peninsula. It alerts residents and tourists to the increasing occurrence of all four types of dengue fever. Also, this notice includes an update regarding human cases of 2009-H1N1 influenza, sometimes referred to as novel H1N1 or swine flu. Dengue Update: The Yucatan State Health Secretary reports an increase in the rate of infection of all four forms of dengue fever. There are more than 900 cases of dengue currently reported in the State of Yucatan. The combined areas of Merida, and the beach communities that include Progreso and Telchac Puerto have the highest concentration of cases. The Quintana Roo State Health Secretary reports 312 cases of dengue fever in 2009. The Campeche State Health Secretary reports 37 cases of dengue including one case of hemorrhagic dengue. Dengue is spread by mosquitoes. To reduce the risk of contracting dengue, the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends wearing clothing that exposes as little skin as possible and applying a repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 as the active ingredient. Additional precautions include installation of screens on all entrances to your living quarters and ensuring there are no areas near your home of stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed. For further information on dengue fever, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) web site at http://www.cdc.gov/dengue. 2009 H1N1 influenza update: Nationwide, the Mexican Secretariat of Health (SALUD) reports 39,489 2009 H1N1 cases and 255 deaths since the virus emerged last spring. Currently, a second major wave of 2009 H1N1 is affecting the country's northern states, where case numbers were low during the initial outbreak. However, Chiapas, Mexico City and Yucatan still claim the highest number of overall suspected and confirmed cases. Mexican authorities have launched a public awareness campaign and are working to increase testing lab capacity and knowledge of the disease. The Government of Mexico is working to acquire vaccinations for H1N1. American citizens are advised to monitor local news and SALUD announcements for updates on vaccine availability. All three states in the consular district have plans in place for an epidemic if one should occur. Hospitals and medical professionals are informed about these plans. Should you suspect you may have been exposed to 2009 H1N1 influenza, or experiencing symptoms of this flu, you should contact a medical professional. A list of local hospitals and doctors can be found on our website at http://merida.usconsulate.gov/. Travelers can expect screening for flu-like symptoms upon entry and exit from Mexico. If you are quarantined or placed in isolation due to 2009-H1N1 influenza, please contact the Consulate at the number below and let us know, so we can monitor your situation. However, please be aware that the Consulate cannot demand your immediate release if you have been detained or quarantined in accordance with local public health and legal authorities.
PUBLIC HEALTH, CANCUN, MEXICO Thanks, TraceyUK, for bringing this to our attention. Here are some additional bits and pieces regarding the public health situation. __________________ The CDC, yesterday, reported that it appears there have been more than 4,000 deaths in the U.S. as a result of contracting H1N1 influenza, formerly referred to as the "swine flu." This makes the situation in Mexico, with 255 deaths so far, seem rather mild by comparison. The report contained in the original post on this thread focuses on the State of Yucatan. For more detailed information regarding the situation in Cancun, State of Quintana Roo, we have this report from the Mexican Ministry of Health, thanks to some research done by Rivergirl: http://portal.salud.gob.mx/sites/salud/descargas/pdf/influenza/situacion_actual_epidemia_211009.pdf The two tables, p.2 and p.7, appear to cover the period from March through October, this year, and show how many cases occurred, week to week. Quintana Roo, with 630 confirmed cases, total, for that period, p.8, was among the least affected of all the states of Mexico. Yucatan, on the other hand, with 3,088 cases, was among the hardest hit, with only the D.F., and Chiapas, having more cases. The pattern of older people being largely immune to this new flu held up in this data. Of 47,788 cases in Mexico, only 783 cases were of people 60, and older, nationwide, p.3., with those perhaps representing persons who managed to make it through both the Asian Flu epidemic, 1957, and the Hong Kong Flu epidemic, 1968, without having been exposed to those diseases, or immunized, at the time. There were 278 deaths attributed to the swine flu, nationwide, during the approximately six month period covered by this data which is, as Life has reminded us, a truly small number compared to those who died during that period from other causes, such as traffic accidents, to which we are all subject; and, a truly small number when compared to the number of deaths, recently reported, in the U.S. For those concerned about the flu, Cancun would appear to be the place to be, this holiday season! _______________________ For further information on the dengue carrying mosquito, and reasonable measures to protect yourself, see the thread, "MOSQUITOS," especially the bottom half of the first page, at- http://www.cancuncare.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=43753 When one observes reasonable precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, the risk of catching any mosquito borne disease in Cancun, already low, approaches zero.
