Warden Message - Update on Flu Outbreak (US Embassy), enhanced health checks leaving mexico

[nadinbrzezinski]

Warden Message - Update on Flu Outbreak

April 30, 2009

Warden Message - Update on Flu Outbreak in Mexico



Update on Flu Outbreak in Mexico – Enhanced Health Screening for Departing International Passengers; Mexico Closes Most Public Establishments Nationwide; U.S. Embassy and Consulates Closed until Wednesday, May 6, 2009



This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to the latest information regarding H1N1 Influenza A. The Mexican Secretariat for Communications and Transportation has announced enhanced health screening for all international passengers departing Mexico from the following six airports: Mexico City (Benito Juarez), Guadalajara, Monterrey, Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, and Puerto Vallarta. Any passengers displaying obvious flu-like symptoms may have their temperature taken by health officials; tests for the H1N1 virus may then be administered to those with fevers. Passengers with high temperatures or testing positive for the H1N1 virus will be denied boarding. All passengers should allow ample time for any delays the new health screening may add to the check-in process at the airport. At this time, the Embassy does not know of any plans to expand this screening to other airports or to arriving passengers, but the traveling public should be alert to this possibility. Other than the health screening, neither the U.S. government nor the government of Mexico has imposed any restrictions on travel between the U.S. and Mexico.

On April 30, 2009, the government of Mexico expanded nationwide the closure of federal government activities, and urged the closure nationwide of all establishments where large numbers of the public gather, including restaurants, bars, discos, night clubs, cinemas, movie theaters, theaters, gyms, and convention centers. The closures are expected to last until May 6.



The U.S. Embassy in Mexico, as well as all U.S. Consulates and all U.S. Consular Agencies will follow the lead of Mexican federal government offices and close on Monday, May 4, 2009. The Consulate General had already been planning to close on the Mexican holidays of Friday, May 1 and Tuesday, May 5. The U.S. Consulate General will reopen on Wednesday, May 6, 2009. Immigrant visa services are suspended through May 15. Non-immigrant services are suspended through May 8. Please check the Consulate General website: http://ciudadjuarez.usconsulate.gov for the latest information on what services are available.



Americans living or traveling in Mexico are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Mexico. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. All U.S. citizens in Mexico are advised to monitor the Embassy website at: http://mexico.usembassy.gov or the Consulate General website: http://ciudadjuarez.usconsulate.gov for additional warden notices and other information.

U.S. citizens may also call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services in the United States for the latest travel information. The Office of Overseas Citizens Services can be reached Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time by calling 1-888-407-4747 from within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling [phone] from other countries.

For further information about H1N1 flu, including steps you can take to stay healthy, please consult the Department of State information at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_pandemic.html, the United States Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu, and the World Health Organization website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html. For additional travel safety information, please consult the State Department's website at www.travel.state.gov.



American Citizens Services

U.S. Consulate General

Paseo de la Victoria 3650

32543 Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua CP 32543

Tel: (011) (52) 656-227-3000

Hours: 8:00a.m. to 4:45p.m.

For after-hours emergencies only, call 044-656-327-7877 for the duty officer.

e-mail: [e-mail];

website: http://ciudadjuarez.usconsulate.gov/

Necessary disclaimer: I am sorry if this scares you, and sorry you need to belittle the information on this post)

[nadinbrzezinski]

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