Ask the U.S. Consul:
Bird Flue in Mexico
By Lisa Vickers, Principal Officer
February 2006

You may have seen recent coverage in the news media where public health officials have expressed concerns about the spread of avian influenza or “bird flu” (caused by the H5N1 virus) from birds to humans and the potential for a pandemic should the virus mutate in a way that allows for human-to-human contagion.

Although there are currently only sporadic reports of bird-to-human transmission, concerns about the possibility of an avian influenza pandemic have prompted international efforts to institute pandemic preparedness measures. The U.S. Department of State has asked its embassies and consulates worldwide to inform Americans residing abroad of the need to prepare in the event of a pandemic.

As yet, there is no known case of H5N1avian influenza in Mexico. Should we learn of a case of H5N1 avian influenza in this country, we will inform the American community about measures the Department of State takes with respect to its employees and their families, so that you can factor this into your own personal plans. While there is no reason to be unnecessarily alarmed, there are certain things that you should keep in mind.

The news media have widely reported that two drugs, oseltamivir (commercially known as Tamiflu) and zanamivir (commercially known as Relenza), can reduce the severity and duration of illness caused by seasonal influenza. For cases of human infection with H5N1, the drugs may improve prospects of survival, if administered early, but clinical data are limited.

These drugs are not readily available in the Yucatan Peninsula. There is no provision or legal authority that allows the U.S. government to provide American citizens traveling or living abroad with medications or vaccines (once developed), including in the event of a pandemic.

In a pandemic situation, public heath measures may place restrictions on domestic or international travel, which may affect the U.S. government’s ability to assist Americans abroad. Therefore, the U.S. Department of State recommends that each person takes the time now to become informed of self-help measures to prepare for and cope with a potential pandemic situation, whether that is avian influenza or some other unforeseen public health crisis.

For more complete information, please consult the official U.S. government website on pandemic flu and avian influenza, maintain by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at http://pandemicflu.gov. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control currently advises that travelers to countries with known outbreaks of influenza A (H5N1) avoid poultry farms, contact with animals in live food markets, and any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with feces from poultry or other animals. More information about avian influenza, including preventive measures, is also available at the CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.php. World Health Organization guidance related to avian influenza is available at http://www.who.int/csr/disease.

For information on these and similar subjects, go to our Ask the Consul page.

Address & Info
Calle 60, No 338K x 29 y 31
Colonia Alcala Martin
Merida, Yucatan, Mexico  97050
Tel: (999) 942 5700
Fax: (999) 942 5759
Email: ConsularMerida@state.gov

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