Below is the latest travel alert from the US Consulate in Guadalajara. Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara are in the Mexican State of Jalisco.
It is important to keep in mind that so far there have been no confirmed cases of swine flu in Jalisco.
The fears over swine flu have turned the resort town of Puerto Vallarta into a virtual ghost town. Bars and most restaurants have shut down. A former Chicago TV reporter who know lives in Puerto Vallarta recently reported on the scene there. For that story, click here.
For my previous post on Puerto Vallarta's bars being shut down, click here.
For my post on the risk of swine flu in the Mexican State of Jalisco which includes Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, click here.
Here is that travel alert from Guadalajara:
United States Consulate General Guadalajara
TRAVEL ALERT: MEXICO
Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 2:19 PM
United States Consulate General Guadalajara
PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT TO
AS MANY AMERICAN CITIZENS AS POSSIBLE
Travel Alert
SUBJECT: TRAVEL ALERT: MEXICO
1. The Department of State alerts U.S. Citizens of the health risks of travel to Mexico at this time due to an outbreak of H1N1 "swine flu." The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an April 27 notice recommending that American citizens avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico at this time. CDC's notice also suggests precautions that travelers and U.S. Citizen residents in Mexico can take to reduce their risk of infection while in Mexico. CDC provides recommendations for those who must travel to an area that has reported cases of swine flu, and measures to take following return from an area that has reported cases of swine flu. The complete CDC notice can be found at the following link: http://www.cdc. gov/travel/. Please check this site frequently for updates. This Travel Alert expires on July 27, 2009.
2. The World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Alert and Response Network (GOARN) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have sent experts to Mexico to work with health authorities.
3. On April 25, the Government of Mexico announced that as a precautionary measure, all schools from kindergarten through university level will remain closed until May 6 in the Federal District, State of Mexico, and San Luis Potosi. All government-sponsore d events involving large crowds have also been canceled, and museums and most tourist attractions are closed.
4. Consular operations at all consular posts in Mexico will be affected by this flu outbreak. Please refer to Embassy Mexico's web page and that of individual posts for the latest information on closings and service reductions.
5. The U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. Citizens in Mexico that most cases of influenza are not "swine flu." Specific questions or concerns about flu or other illnesses should be directed to a medical professional. Mexico City medical authorities urge people to avoid hospitals and clinics unless they have a medical emergency, since hospitals are centers of infection; instead, those with health concerns are encouraged to stay home and call their physicians to avoid potential exposure. Although the U.S. Embassy cannot give medical advice or provide medical services to the public, a list of hospitals and doctors can be found on our website at the following links:
http://mexico. usembassy. gov/sacs_ medical_info. html (Spanish)
http://mexico. usembassy. gov/eng/eacs_ medical_info. html (English)
6. For additional information, please consult the State Department's website at www.travel.state. gov, the CDC website at www.cdc.gov, or the website of the World Health Organization at www.who.int. The U.S.-based call center for U.S. Citizens can be reached from 8:00 am- 8:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time, M-F, at 1-888-407-4747, or if calling from outside the U.S., at (202)-501-4444 . The U.S. Embassy will also post additional information as it becomes available at: www.usembassy- mexico.gov. American citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to register with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the State Department's travel registration website at https://travelregis tration.state. gov/.
7. For emergencies involving U.S. Citizens in Mexico, please contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080- 2000; telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000.
You may also contact the Embassy by e-mail at: ccs@usembassy. net.mx. The Embassy's Internet address is http://www.usembass y-mexico. gov/.
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