The Department of State wishes to inform U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Mexico that on May 15 2009, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lifted its recommendation that American citizens avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico. As a result of the CDC’s decision, the State Department’s Travel Alert relating to the 2009-H1N1 influenza outbreak is no longer in effect.
The CDC continues to suggest precautions that travelers and U.S. citizens resident in Mexico (especially those at high risk for complications of influenza) should take to reduce their risk of infection while in Mexico; provides recommendations for those who must travel to an area where cases of 2009-H1N1 influenza have been reported; and recommends measures travelers should take following their return from an area that has reported cases of 2009-H1N1 influenza. Complete CDC guidelines regarding H1N1 influenza can be found at the following link: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/. Please check this site frequently for updates. Americans departing Mexico for non-U.S. destinations should be aware that some governments have imposed quarantine or other screening procedures for all travelers from Mexico. Travelers may wish to check the website of the foreign country’s Embassy in the United States or Mexico for available information on current screening or quarantine procedures for travelers from Mexico. Information about entry screening procedures in other countries can be found at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/content/news-announcements/delays-H1N1-screening.aspx
The Government of Mexico restarted high school (grades 10-12) and university classes on Thursday, May 7. Federal health and education officials announced that all schools from pre-school to secondary would reopen as of Monday, 11 May. However, Chiapas, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Michoacán, Nayarit, San Luis Potosí, and Zacatecas states extended at least some school closures until Monday, May 18 due to increases in suspected or confirmed cases of influenza 2009-H1N1, and fatalities in Jalisco and Michoacán.
Consular services at all posts in Mexico have resumed. Information on rescheduling immigrant visa appointments is available on the web page of the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez at http://ciudadjuarez.usconsulate.gov/.
The U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens in Mexico that most cases of influenza are not 2009-H1N1 influenza. Any specific questions or concerns about flu or other illnesses should be directed to a medical professional. Mexico City medical authorities are urging people to avoid hospitals and clinics unless they have a medical emergency, since hospitals can be centers of infection; instead, those with health concerns are encouraged to stay home and call their physicians to avoid potential exposure. Although the U.S. Embassy cannot give medical advice or provide medical services to the public, a list of hospitals and doctors can be found on our website at the following links: http://mexico.usembassy.gov/sacs_medical_info.html (Spanish) http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/eacs_medical_info.html (English).
For additional information, please consult the State Department’s website at www.travel.state.gov, the CDC website at www.cdc.gov, or the website of the World Health Organization at www.who.int. The U.S.-based call center for U.S. citizens can be reached at 1-888-407-4747 from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday or, if calling from outside the U.S., at (202)-501-4444. The U.S. Embassy will post additional information as it becomes available at: http://mexico.usembassy.gov. American citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to register with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the State Department’s travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov/.
For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens in Mexico, please contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000. You may also contact the Embassy by e-mail at: ACSMexicoCity@state.gov. The Embassy’s internet address is http://mexico.usembassy.gov.
