Swine Flu Advisory

1. Currently, a Travel Alert for Mexico has been issued by the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada recommending that Canadian citizens avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico at this time.
• The Swine Flu has been confirmed in 19 Mexican states, including Mexico City, Mexico State, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Baja California and San Luis Potosi. Some, including Oaxaca, Mexico City and Baja California, have tourist areas, but authorities have not said where in these states the outbreaks occurred.
• The Swine Flu has also been confirmed within the United States in California, Kansas, New York, Ohio and Texas.

2. We provide the facts so our clients can make an informed decision about their travel plans.
• We closely monitor the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Web site for travel alerts for all destinations, including those that are most popular with our clients.
• Should we become aware of an issue for a specific destination, we alert clients who may be planning to travel there so they can make determine for themselves if they still wish to travel.
• Many major U.S. and Canadian airlines are waiving fees for passengers who want to change their tickets to Mexico.
• For our clients who plan to travel to Mexico, the Public Health Agency of Canada prescribes the following recommendations to reduce the risk of infection and help travelers stay healthy:
o Canadians already in Mexico should monitor local news bulletins and follow the advice of local authorities. Travellers should also contact their airline, tour operator or travel agent to verify travel plans.
o The PHAC recommends that travellers follow the same precautionary measures as with seasonal influenza. These include receiving a seasonal flu vaccine, washing your hands often, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when ill. Canadians who have recently travelled to Mexico and who develop symptoms of influenza or severe respiratory illness, especially high fever are advised to seek medical attention immediately. For more information, please see the PHAC Travel Health Warning and information page on human swine influenza.
• See a travel medicine specialist or a doctor familiar with travel medicine at least 4–6 weeks before you leave to answer your questions and make specific recommendations for you.
• Antiviral Medications: Travelers from the U.S and Canada going to Mexico who are at high risk of severe illness from influenza (for example persons with chronic conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, and the elderly) are recommended to take antiviral medications for prevention of swine influenza during travel. The recommended antiviral drugs for swine influenza are oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (brand name Relenza®). Both are prescription drugs that fight against swine flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. These drugs can prevent infection if taken as a preventative. Talk to your doctor about correct indications for using influenza antiviral medications. Always seek medical care if you are severely ill.
• Antiviral chemoprophylaxis (pre-exposure or post-exposure) is recommended for the following individuals:
i. Household close contacts who are at high-risk for complications of influenza (persons with certain chronic medical conditions, elderly) of a confirmed or suspected case.
ii. School children who are at high-risk for complications of influenza (persons with certain chronic medical conditions) who had close contact (face-to-face) with a confirmed or suspected case.
iii. Travelers to Mexico who are at high-risk for complications of influenza (persons with certain chronic medical conditions, elderly).
• Antiviral chemoprophylaxis can be considered for non-high risk persons who are travelers to Mexico, first responders, or border workers who are working in areas with confirmed cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. For more information on CDC's recommendations for antiviral use during the swine flu outbreak, please visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu.
• Be sure you are up-to-date with all your routine vaccinations, including seasonal influenza vaccine if available.
• Pack a travel health kit that contains basic first aid and medical supplies.
• Identify the health-care resources in the area(s) you will be visiting.
• Check if your health insurance plan will cover you abroad. Consider purchasing additional insurance that covers medical evacuation in case you become sick.
• Should our clients become ill during a trip to Mexico with fever and other symptoms of Swine Flu like cough and sore throat, the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada recommends seeing a doctor, especially if they think you may have had contact with someone with Swine Flu or severe respiratory illness in the past seven (7) days before becoming ill.

3. Safety is our top priority for our clients.
• Our business is founded on repeat customers. Therefore, we want to be sure everything goes off without a hitch.
• We also work closely with respected hotels and resorts to remain informed of precautions they’re taking to guard our clients’ safety.
• We encourage our clients who travel to pay attention to announcements from the local government and follow local public health guidelines, including any movement restrictions and prevention recommendations.
• Regardless of where our clients travel, we encourage them to practice healthy habits to help stop the spread of germs, including washing their hands often with soap and water or use waterless alcohol-based hand gels when water is unavailable.