| | |  Health & Beauty | May 2009 
Pork Consumption Poses No Risk: SAGARPA
 Presidencia de la República
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Health Secretary José Ángel Córdova held a press conference Thursday to update information on the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak.
Secretary Córdova was accompanied by Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food, (SAGARPA) Alberto Cárdenas Jiménez, and Miguel Ángel Toscano, head of the Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks (COFEPRIS), and Enrique Sánchez Cruz, Head of the National Service of Innocuousness and Agro-Food Quality (SENASICA).
During his address, the Health Secretary commented on the updated figures for Confirmed Cases of Influenza A (H1N1) in Mexico, which now total 1,204 confirmed cases, with 44 deaths.
Secretary Córdova explained that the two additional deaths to those reported a day earlier correspond to a woman in San Luis Potosí and a man from Tlaxcala, which occurred previously.
The Health Secretary also discussed the measures regarding the opening of places for public spectacles, such as theaters, stadiums, etc., on which he provided recommendations and requested the public’s support in complying with them. These measures include:
• Permitting only 50% capacity seating.
• Staggering admission to shows.
• Using temperature measurement pistols and referring those with high temperatures to doctors.
• Handing out antiseptic gel and face masks for attendees.
• Maintaining a distance of 1.7 m between people except for relatives.
• Providing plastic bags to dispose of tissues and face masks.
• Offering information on preventive measures.
The Secretary urged sick people not to attend mass events.
Lastly, Secretary Córdova said that the case of the patient from Tlaxcala, who unfortunately died on April 29, was followed up by the ISSSTE brigades, which visited relatives and friends that had come into contact with the patient. He added that 29 persons were questioned and tested, of which only one tested positive, as a result of which 28 preventive and 1 therapeutic treatments were given.
SAGARPA Director Alberto Cárdenas reported on what the Secretariat he directs is doing regarding the measures to promote national pork production.
He announced that a series of measures have been implemented ranging from information campaigns inside and outside the country as well as financial support for the pork industry.
Regarding the information campaign, Cárdenas Jiménez said that a campaign has been undertaken since May 1 on the innocuousness of Mexican pork. He added that fiscal and commercial radio and TV times are being used and that a 30-million-peso campaign will be launched tomorrow to promote pork consumption.
Regarding financing and risk administration, the SAGARPA director said that 200 million pesos are available for purchasing coverage, together with a billion pesos for purchasing grains. He added that 100 pesos in support will be provided for up to 60,000 tons, for those purchasing grains from Mexican harvests.
Lastly, regarding international issues, Secretary Cárdenas said that 250 communiqués have been sent to ministers of agriculture in several countries as well as ambassadors and consults, to reassure them that pork is clean, reliable and does not transmit Influenza A (H1N1).
Miguel Ángel Toscano, director of COFEPRIS, described the visit paid by the Commission, together with SENASICA to the Municipality of La Gloria, in Perote, Veracruz, where they checked the health conditions of the farms.
Regarding the technified farm located 11 km outside La Gloria, he said that no sick persons or animals were found during the visit. He added that no sick persons or livestock were found in either the houses or farms and that pork consumption does not pose any risks. |
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