Swine Influenza and Severe Cases of Respiratory Illness Reported in Mexico

CDC has NOT recommended that people avoid travel to Mexico at this time. If you are planning travel to Mexico, follow these recommendations to reduce your risk of infection and help you stay healthy.

Courtesy: kateandneil.com

(MEXICO CITY) - According to the World Health Organization, the Government of Mexico has reported three separate events of influenza-like-illness. In the Federal District of Mexico, surveillance began picking up cases of influenza-like-illnesses starting on March 18th, 2009.

The number of cases has risen steadily through April and as of April 23rd, there were more than 854 cases of pneumonia from the capital.

Of those, 59 have died. In San Luis Potosi, located in central Mexico, 24 cases of influenza-like-illness, with three deaths, have been reported.

And from Mexicali, near the border with the United States, four cases of influenza-like-illness, with no deaths, have been reported.

The majority of these cases have occurred in otherwise healthy young adults. Seasonal influenza normally affects the very young and the very old, but these age groups have not been heavily affected in Mexico based on the information above.

CDC has confirmed that seven of 14 respiratory specimens sent to the CDC by the Mexican National Influenza Center are positive for swine influenza virus and are similar to the swine influenza viruses recently identified in the US among residents of California and Texas.

CDC and state public and animal health authorities are currently investigating 8 cases of swine flu in humans in California and Texas that may be related to cases in Mexico. At this time there have been no severe illnesses or fatalities seen in the United States.

To date, there have been no reported cases of influenza-like-illness in the resort areas along the coast of Mexico.

This investigation is still in the early stages. Further updates to this investigation and any related travel recommendations will be posted on cdc.gov/travel when available.

CDC Recommendations:

CDC has NOT recommended that people avoid travel to Mexico at this time. If you are planning travel to Mexico, follow these recommendations to reduce your risk of infection and help you stay healthy.

Monitor the International Situation

Check updates from the:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Secretaria de Salud

World Health Organization