In France, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Health also addressed the passengers, who may intend to visit Mexico, the outbreak of swine influenza: “Given the local health situation, the Ministry Foreign and European Affairs and the Ministry of Health called for the utmost caution. If you feel you need to visit Mexico, it is recommended to comply with the recommendations of health authorities in Mexico, “says the text.
The instructions are as follows:
Avoid public gathering places
Respect the rules of basic hygiene, including regular and thorough washing of hands
Ventilate the room during the stay
For people returning from a trip to Mexico, encourage departments to contact the center 15 of the department (phone: 15) or if her doctor within seven days following the return of the symptoms fever, cough, aches and fatigue are emerging.
Several numbers of calls on influenza are available to the public: 0825.302.302 from abroad 33153567323. For travel information, it is the 33145503460.
The World Health Organization, one of whose major functions is to coordinate health emergencies among its 193 members, believes that the world is closer to a pandemic influenza virus. Therefore, it decided Monday evening to raise its alert level to 4 on a scale of 6. To prevent the spread of this virus, the whole wave of countries have already developed devices:
In Romania, authorities have called Monday “to avoid travel to Mexico” but if a trip is necessary, the traveler is invited to wear a mask and consult a doctor if symptoms occur. They also tightened controls in the two international airports of Bucharest. Goods from countries at risk will be checked said the sanitary-veterinary authority.
In Spain, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommended Monday to Spanish nationals not to travel to Mexico unless necessary. “Spain has announced Monday a human case of swine flu, the first on European soil.
In the United States, a state of emergency was declared and Washington announced the screening of persons presenting at the borders from countries affected by the virus.
Japan strengthens controls at airports. Information on the swine flu will be made available to airport users and medical personnel said the government spokesman, Takeo Kawamura. The Hitachi group, which has an assembly plant in Mexico televisions, returns the families of Japanese expatriate employees in this country and the company has canceled all his business trips planned to Mexico, like Panasonic. The travel agency Hankyu Travel has canceled all its programs in Mexico, with the exception of cruises agreement. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs also tightens the conditions for granting visas to Mexicans.
In Thailand, thermal scanners, which are supposed to detect people with a fever, have been installed at the international airport in Bangkok. Veterinary services in Thailand have decided to “suspend until further notice” imports of pork and pork products from Mexico and the United States.
The Government of Luxembourg declares: “Travelers are asked to refrain from any movement in Mexico, except in cases of absolute necessity.” For Luxemburgers still in Mexico or the United States or going to get there, national authorities recommend “comply with the recommendations issued by local health authorities and avoid public gathering places.”
Russia on Monday will inspect all aircraft from the American continent because of the outbreak of swine flu, “said head of health services in Russia, Gennady Onichenko. According to the Chief Veterinary Russian Nikolai Vlassova, Russia banned since April 26, imports of pigs and products prepared from the meat from these countries and several Central American States.
China Monday banned imports of pork and pork products from Mexico and three U.S. states: Texas, Kansas and California. The ban takes immediate effect. The government has not banned travel to these destinations. The government also warns against contact with pigs and recommends consulting a doctor at the slightest alert: fever, cough, headache ..
In Australia, authorities have called on Monday at all airports to tighten controls to check the health of passengers. According to the Health Minister, Nicola Roxon, the captains of aircraft from Mexico and North America will provide a point of the health of passengers before they can land and this measure takes effect from Tuesday midnight. Any passenger showing symptoms of the flu will be placed in quarantine.
In Cuba, the authorities have tightened controls at ports and airports and limited to the maximum “flights from or leaving for Mexico. The Health Ministry said the country would update all the capabilities of epidemiological vigilance and attention to the public. “The population must strengthen the collective and personal hygiene as covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, wash hands frequently, ensure hygiene in homes and community centers.”
As of Monday, Lebanon banned the import of live pigs and fresh pork. The Lebanese farmers must report any animal showing symptoms of the disease.
In Germany, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs currently discourages non-essential travel to Mexico. ”
Ukraine Monday banned the import of live pigs, meat and products of such animals from Mexico, the United States, Canada and New Zealand announced the government. The prohibition Post loads to 21 April.
Bolivia has declared a state of “health alert”. Therefore, medical surveillance posts at airports have been installed.
Similar points of surveillance will be installed in a second time at access points of land.
Venezuela has launched a preventive health alert due to the outbreak of swine flu. Measures were taken for passengers with flu-like symptoms in ports and airports, “said Venezuelan Minister of Health Jesus Mantilla. Checks are made at borders and ports and airport flights from Mexico and the United States are subject to special attention.
In the Dominican Republic, health authorities have issued a warning but no epidemiological announce special measures at airports. The island has “(…) antiviral drugs to cope with any situation,” said the Dominican Secretary for Public Health, Bautista Rojas Gomez.
In turn, Canada calls on Canadian travelers to postpone to a later date stays “non-essential” in Mexico.
Canada has announced so far confirmed six cases of swine flu, all benign.
In Croatia, the government no longer wants to import pigs and pork from North America and South.
Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader said: “In Croatia, we have had so far no suspect case.”
Four Arab Gulf monarchies have taken precautionary measures against the outbreak of swine influenza.
For Emirates, the instructions of the World Health Organization are followed to the letter and the country will step up surveillance, especially in airports. In Bahrain, they decided to ban the import of all pork products, even if its Muslim population and does not consume. It will also strengthen the monitoring of travelers. Qatar and Saudi Arabia are preparing to cope with the disease eventually. The Saudis have sufficient stocks of medicines.
Argentina, for its part, suspended the landing of flights from Mexico until next Monday, said Tuesday evening the head of the Argentine government Sergio Massa. He also announced the creation of a follow-up committee to coordinate and gather all information on the impact of the disease in the country.
Iran calls on its nationals to avoid travel to the United States and Mexico affected by influenza virus. Medical teams are in the airports to inform travelers and check those which may have symptoms of infection. Travelers with serious signs will be referred to medical centers.
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Apr 30 2009