| | |  Travel & Outdoors | May 2009 
Canada Lifts Travel Advisory To Mexico
 AHN
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Ottawa, Ontario - Canada has officially lifted on Monday its travel advisory to Mexico. The lifting of the recommendation to postpone non-essential travel was because of the dip in incidents of Influenza A (H1N1) virus in Mexico.
In a press conference, Canadian Chief Public Health Officer Dr. David Butler-Jones explained, "The virus, as it spreads in Canada, the United Stats and internationally, is more along the lines of the severity we see with the seasonal flu... In addition, the outbreak in Mexico seems to be leveling off, so as we get more understanding of this virus, it does not make sense to have a travel warning to a country where the virus spreading is similar to in Canada."
Following the lifting of the travel advisory, the PHAC will stop giving away health alert notices to air travelers bound for Mexico and stationing quarantine officers on every direct flight coming from Mexico into Canada. However, the Canadian Border Services Agency will keep on checking air passengers for signs of the swine flu.
Despite the lifting health officials said Canadians who may be at risk for complications from any form of flu such as pregnant women, diabetics, children below 2 and patients with lung or heart disease should consult their physicians before flying to Mexico, Butler-Jones said.
Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq, who is in Geneva attending a World Health Organization assembly on the H1N1 participated in the press conference through a conference call.
Aglukkaq said, "The emergence of the H1N1 flu virus last month warranted a strong response in order to gain an understanding of the threat and to take appropriate actions... The knowledge that we have now gained is allowing us to take more targeted measures, including enhanced vigilance and preparation for the fall flu season."
Canada has 520 laboratory-confirmed H1N1 cases, while globally it has reached over 8,800 with 74 deaths.
Although major Canadian air carriers do not have any official announcements on the effect of the travel ban to Mexico on their Websites, the Toronto Star reported WestJet will keep its no flight policy until June 20, while Air Canada will have a few trips in May to Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta. |
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