Is it safe to travel to Mexico during the swine flu (H1N1) outbreak?

Question: Is it safe to travel to Mexico during the swine flu (H1N1) outbreak?

The Swine Flu (H1N1 influenza) outbreak that began in Mexico and came to the world's attention at the end of April 2009 caused the governments of several countries to recommend against non-essential travel to Mexico. Follow developments in our swine flu timeline.

Answer: Whether or not to travel to Mexico during the swine flu outbreak is a personal decision. You should examine the facts and decide for yourself if the advantages of a trip to Mexico at this time outweigh the risks. Here are some of the facts you should consider:

• The governments of various countries have issued recommendations against non-essential travel to Mexico.

• The World Health Organization does not feel that travel restrictions are necessary or helpful in the containment of the influenza outbreak. (See the World Health Organization Web Site: Is it safe to travel?)

• Swine flu has spread throughout many states in the U.S. and is now present in many different countries throughout the world, and has been shown to be not especially virulent.

• If you have a chronic condition or a compromised immune system, you should take that into account when deciding whether or not to travel at this time.

• There are no restrictions against travel to Mexico, though travelers to and from Mexico may encounter some special screening procedures, including health questionnaires and temperature monitoring.

If you decide to travel to Mexico during the swine flu outbreak, there are some simple measures that you can take to reduce your risk of becoming ill. See our tips to avoid swine flu, and stay up-to-date on new developments with our swine flu timeline.

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