Travel Guides

Swine Flu originated in Mexico, and the first cases were reported worldwide in April 2009. The World Health Organisations acted quickly to assess the risks that this virulent strain of influenza represented, and although the virus outbreak has now been officially labelled ‘pandemic’ (affecting other countries around the world), there have been a low percentage of cases reported worldwide, and no fatalities as yet outside of Mexico.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) have advised against all non-essential business and leisure travel, and people leaving the country are scanned at the airport for obvious flu like symptoms, although of course many passengers could be carrying the virus without displaying any symptoms at all. WHO are not restricting travel completely to and from Mexico and other affected countries, as this has been shown to have no affect on containing influenza type viruses.

Swine Flu, also known as influenza A (H1N1) has currently reached a pandemic status, which means not only is it affecting large parts of the originating country Mexico, but cases have also been identified around the world. The World Health Organisation has now officially confirmed Swine Flu has reached alert level Phase 5, which means it is rapidly spreading via person-to person contact, but as yet no fatalities have been recorded outside of Mexico.

Travel Restrictions
WHO and leading health authorities around the world are not advising any travel restrictions to affected countries, but all non-essential travel to Mexico has been advised against and several tour operators to this country have temporarily suspended their flights to Mexico.