| | |  Health & Beauty | April 2009 
Protecting Yourself from Swine Flu
 Nicole Feenstra - Canoe
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Not only travellers to Mexico, but citizens around the world are on high alert after several cases of swine flu have been confirmed in visitors to Mexico, including six cases here in Canada.
After initially declaring there was no need to fear travel to Mexico, the Canadian government has now issued a travel advisory against the country. Canada now joins the European Union and the United States in advising against nonessential travel to Mexico.
Still, many hotels outside Mexico City are insisting there is nothing to fear.
The Villa Group, a collection of luxury Mexican resorts, is closely monitoring the recent swine flu outbreak in Mexico and has taken all appropriate steps to ensure the safety and health of all resort guests and employees, they declared in a media release on Tuesday.
"None of the Villa Group resort properties (located in Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Nuevo Vallarta/Riviera Nayarit) are within close proximity to Mexico State where the outbreaks have occurred. No cases have been reported in any of the aforementioned destinations and the Villa Group is working closely with local authorities to take all necessary precautions to minimize exposure to the virus," Villa Group added.
Many tourists can't wait for their Mexican vacations to start.
A release from Europe says travellers planning trips to Mexico have so far been undeterred by the outbreak of swine flu influenza announced by Mexico's Federal Health Ministry.
"We would have expected to see some negative impact by now, but it may be that travellers are reassured by the fact that the outbreak is largely concentrated in Mexico City - a two hour flight from the coastal resorts," said Skyscanner - a European flight search company - director and co-founder Barry Smith.
Still, other tourists, including some Canadians, have cancelled plans to visit the sunny south. Guests who cancel trips should check with the hotel and airline to see if they face fines for doing so. Air Canada and WestJet have already declared there would be no change fee on flights to Mexico.
Meanwhile, the United States' Passport Health recommends you protect yourself in the following ways during this outbreak:
• Antivirals Tamiflu (Oseltamiviror) or Relenza (Zanamivir) are used for treatment when exposure is suspected. The antivirals have proven to be effective against the Swine Influenza virus in laboratory tests.
• Wipe surfaces such as door knobs and phones with chlorine-based products.
• AAvoid travel to regions where Swine Flu has been detected.
• Avoid large crowds and leave crowds if you observe someone who is symptomatic.
• AIf you are symptomatic, stay at home away from large crowds and your workplace.
• Wear a surgical mask whilst in areas where the Swine Flu has been detected and when travelling on airplanes.
• When you cough or sneeze, if you do not have a tissue available, cough into your arm, not your hand. Use of hot soap and water and alcohol sanitizers are proven methods to avoid transmission of the virus. |
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