UPDATE: CDC Downgrades Travel Warning to Mexico

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has informed ASTA that its Travel Warning for novel H1N1 flu in Mexico will be downgraded later today to a Travel Precaution.

According to the message, "CDC has been monitoring the ongoing outbreak of novel H1N1 flu in Mexico and, with the assistance of the Mexican authorities, has obtained a more complete picture of the outbreak. There is evidence that the Mexican outbreak is slowing down in many cities though not all. In addition, the United States and other countries are now seeing increasing numbers of cases not associated with travel to Mexico. Finally, the risk of severe disease from novel H1N1 virus infection now appears to be less than originally thought. At this time, CDC has removed its recommendation that U.S. travelers avoid travel to Mexico."

As of May 15, 2009, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) indicates that there have been 7,520 laboratory confirmed human cases of H1N1 flu. Of these cases, 2,446 have been reported from Mexico, 4,298 from the United States and 449 from Canada.

WHO continues to recommend that nations not impose travel restrictions. While the WHO pandemic alert is currently at phase 5, this designation is based on the geographic spread of the virus and not on its severity which, so far, has been mild for most of those affected.

While the CDC has downgraded its travel warning, and the H1N1 flu appears mild at this point, travel agents are encouraged to continue counseling travelers on ways to prevent health risks when traveling. Travelers can protect themselves and others by continuing to follow simple prevention practices that apply while travelling and in daily life. Regular hand-washing, normal cough etiquette, avoiding contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections–these are a few of the steps travelers can take.

If you or your client must to travel to an area that has reported cases of swine flu, the CDC recommends that you/they:

ASTA is a member of the Tourism Emergency Response Network (TERN), the worldwide travel community that is working closely with the World Health Organization and sharing views on a regular basis. This ensures that the special situation of travelers is taken fully into account by WHO and that the industry is able to provide the best and most accurate advice to travelers.

CancunAirport.com will continue to monitor the situation and provide travelers with information as it develops.

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