Press Room

TO DATE, BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR REMAINS FREE FROM INFLUENZA VIRUS AH1N1 - UPDATE

La Paz, B.C. Sur, May 04, 2009

The Secretary of Tourism in Baja California Sur, Alberto Treviño Angulo, confirms that, to date, Baja California Sur remains free from this virus.

A meeting was held today, at 12:00 noon, in the Conference Room of the State Government´s Secretariat of Health, presided by the Secretary of Health, Mr. Francisco Cardoza Macías, M.D., who informed that Baja California Sur remains free from influenza virus AH1N1.

During this session, the Secretary of Health put at ease and conveyed reassurance to all those in attendance, and reiterated that although the influenza virus alert prevails at a national level, Baja California Sur has no cases whatsoever of patients presenting the symptoms that characterize the disease.

In addition, Dr. Cardoza Macías reported that during this weekend, the number of patients requiring a symptomatic respiratory analysis decreased, which speaks of the gradual but certain progress we have achieved.  However, he added, we must not decrease our efforts, and today more than ever we shall be attentive and reinforce the safety measures implemented in airport and maritime terminals, highways, and with the general population.

On the other hand, Dr. Cardoza informed that more kits for rapid testing have been received to detect signs of the virus in patients presenting even the slightest symptom.

The Secretary of Tourism, Mr. Treviño Angulo, encouraged all to follow the recommendations prescribed by the Secretariat of Health, thus responsibly contributing to prevent any possible infections.

We will continue updating this information.

TO DATE, BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR REMAINS FREE FROM INFLUENZA VIRUS AH1N1

La Paz, B.C. Sur, May 1st, 2009

The Secretary of Tourism in Baja California Sur, Alberto Treviño Angulo, ratifies that to date no cases of influenza virus AH1N1 have been reported in B.C.S.

During an extraordinary meeting held today, May 1st, 2009, in the Conference Room of the State Secretariat of Health, Mr. Francisco Cardoza, M.D., Secretary of said institution, reiterated that, to date, there are no confirmed cases of persons affected by this virus.

In attendance during this meeting were the State Committee of Safety and Health, constituted by the Institutions of the Health Sector (IMSS, ISSSTE, Armed Forces, SEP, DIF), and other state agencies, such as the Secretariat of Tourism and federal delegations, to the effect of analyzing the status at a State and National level as to the influenza epidemic. 

It has been informed that we now have reagents in the State for a rapid detection of the influenza virus.  In just a few minutes, this test provides sufficient information to know if the person being tested carries the disease, with the consequent immediate treatment of the same.

It was also mentioned during the meeting that with the assistance of the Health Sector, PGR, SAGARPA, SCT, Armed Forces and AFI, the stands for epidemiologic vigilance will continue being reinforced and will double their efforts to immediately identify any suspicious cases.  These stands are located in airport terminals, maritime ports and strategic highway points for purposes of providing prompt attention to and follow-up on any person who may present any of the influenza symptoms.

It is important to remind the entire population that ALL the Health Centers, IMSS Family Medical Units and ISSTE Clinics will remain open during holidays and weekends to offer consultation services, thus avoiding a saturation of the hospital emergency services, since these shall remain free for “qualified emergencies” only, and NOT for consultation services.  It is further recommended to refrain from practicing self-medication in case of presenting any symptoms of a common cold or respiratory disease, and instead visit the nearest health center.

BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR REMAINS FREE OF INFLUENZA. THERE IS NO RECORD OF CONFIRMED CASES, AND NOT EVEN THE SLIGHTEST SUSPICION OF THE PRESENCE OF THIS VIRUS.

La Paz, B.C. Sur, May 1st, 2009

The Secretary of Tourism in Baja California Sur, Alberto Treviño Angulo, informed that the State is free from this virus.

Baja California Sur is free from the swine flu virus; to this date there are no records whatsoever of confirmed cases, and not even the slightest suspicion of the presence of the virus in this State.

The Secretary of Tourism in Baja California Sur, Alberto Treviño Angulo, added that local residents, as well as all national and international visitors, may remain in and travel to the tourism centers in the State with the assurance that there are no influenza cases in this area.

He stated that those tourists who are planning to visit our resort destinations may do so with the complete certainty that in Baja California Sur there are no cases of swine flu that may pose a risk to their health, and that the health authorities are working to keep this situation under control.

During the Tourism Expo held here, Alberto Treviño informed that the tourism sector in Baja California is working with the certainty that there is no record whatsoever of the presence of this virus in the State: from Guerrero Negro to Ciudad Constitución; from La Paz to Todos Santos and from Los Barriles to Cabo San Lucas.

Treviño Angulo added that the tourism industry in Baja California Sur undoubtedly represents one of the main engines of the economy in the State, and this is in great part the result of the joint efforts of businessmen in the field, the society in general, and the government.

In consequence, today more than ever, in Baja California Sur we are all working together, and will continue to do so in a responsible manner in furtherance of a better tourism development in our State.

The Secretary of Tourism reiterated that in the State of Baja California Sur there is not even the slightest suspicion of the presence of this virus, and added that the health authorities actually sent ten samples of patients undergoing a common cold to laboratories in Mexico City for their respective analysis, and in every one of said cases the results were negative.

However, Alberto Treviño explained that general precautions are being taken as a preventive measure, this being the reason why there are preventive supervision activities in the maritime, terrestrial and airport terminals. 

In addition, activities have been suspended in all private and public schools, and it is recommended to avoid attending massive events in enclosed places.

Alberto Treviño commented that as a precaution measure, the health sector has sufficient medication to cure this disease and 120 special reagents in health centers and hospitals in Baja California Sur, and reiterated that the State of Baja California is free from the virus.

BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR HAS NOT CLOSED ANY ESTABLISHMENTS THAT PROVIDE FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICES.

La Paz, B.C. Sur, April 29, 2009

The Secretary of Tourism in Baja California Sur, Alberto Treviño Angulo, informed that the food and beverage establishments remain in operation.

During an extraordinary meeting held today in the Governors Conference Room, presided by Mr. Narciso Agúndez Montaño, State Governor, and Dr. Francisco Cardoza Macías, State Secretary of Health, it was confirmed that all establishments providing food and beverage services in the various destinations in our State may continue operating normally, which decision is endorsed by the State Council of Health and Safety.

The services of food, beverage and attention to our visitors in the various establishments throughout the State continue to be normally offered, and have not been affected considering that, to date, Baja California Sur has no confirmed cases whatsoever of swine flu that could pose a risk to the health of our visitors. 

The Secretary of Tourism in Baja California Sur, Alberto Treviño Angulo, added that local residents, as well as all national and international tourists, may safely visit the many different restaurants with the certainty that there is no swine flu in the State.

He reminded the providers of tourist related services to adopt the appropriate precautions that the State Secretariat of Health has been recommending through the news media, which refer to certain preventive measures of general nature.

Treviño Angulo added that the tourism industry in Baja California Sur undoubtedly represents one of the central points of the economy in the State, and that today, more than ever, we must double our efforts to offer a service of quality and top level attention to our visitors, thus creating assuredness and full confidence in all the establishments in the State.

AIRPORTS IN THE STATE OF BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR STRENGTHEN SAFETY MEASURES

La Paz, B.C. Sur, April 29, 2009

The Secretary of Tourism in Baja California Sur, Alberto Treviño Angulo, informs about the safety measures adopted by the airports in the State.

After communicating with Martin Pablo Zazueta, Director of the International Airport of Los Cabos, Pacific Airport Group, and with ASA executives of the International Airport of Loreto, in reference to the fact that the swine flu pandemic alert level has been raised from 3 to 5, we have been informed that the respective preventive measures are now being implemented in the International Airports of Los Cabos, La Paz and Loreto, to the effect of preventing and controlling the propagation of said virus.

These preventive measures consist of the following:

1. ALL passengers must fill out a form at the Airport to determine if they have any symptoms of influenza virus.

2. ALL passengers in international flights departing from the various airports will have their body temperature checked to determine if they have a fever.

The intent of these measures is to maintain an exhaustive safety control and immediately find the slightest indication of the presence of the influenza virus in our State.

To implement these activities we have the invaluable participation of the State Secretariat of Health, as well as the Municipalities.