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please send this letter out! - lets get the advisory lifted!

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A letter drafted which can be sent to the CDC, FCO or any other government agency of official to get the travel advisory lifted. Please send it out and get others to do so as well!
14 years ago, May 6th 2009 No: 1 Msg: #72185  
Please send the following letter out to the following government agencies and representatives, or anyone else you think may be able to help. Lets flood the inbox's and get this sorted!

David Miliband,Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs



The Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP, Department of Health



FCO


CDC



To whom this may concern,

I am writing to question the grounds for the travel advisory to Mexico, as a consequence of the H1N1 outbreak.

As of May 6th, 2009, H1N1 is continuing to spread all over the globe, regardless of travel restrictions. This is well documented in the current WHO Influenza A(H1N1) - update 17 "6 May 2009 -- As of 06:00 GMT, 6 May 2009, 22 countries have officially reported 1516 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection.

Mexico has reported 822 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 29 deaths. The United States has reported 403 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death.

The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (165), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Colombia (1), Costa Rica (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (2), France (4), Germany (9), Guatemala (1), Ireland (1), Israel (4), Italy (5), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (6), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (2), Spain (57), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (27).

It is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities. Individuals are advised to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and should seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness. WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders."

There is no advisory in place against travel to and from the 21 other countries with H1N1 confirmed cases. It seems hypocritical and unjust to only advise against travel to Mexico when it is possible to come into contact with the virus while travelling elsewhere, or even in our own country.

There is no evidence to support that restricting all but essential travel to Mexico will stop the spread of the virus. The WHO has stated this in their Influenza A(H1N1) guidance documents: "1 May 2009 -- WHO is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza A(H1N1) virus. Today, international travel moves rapidly, with large numbers of individuals visiting various parts of the world. Limiting travel and imposing travel restrictions would have very little effect on stopping the virus from spreading, but would be highly disruptive to the global community.

Influenza A(H1N1) has already been confirmed in many parts of the world. The focus now is on minimizing the impact of the virus through the rapid identification of cases and providing patients with appropriate medical care, rather than on stopping its spread internationally. Furthermore, although identifying the signs and symptoms of influenza in travellers can be an effective monitoring technique, it is not effective in reducing the spread of influenza as the virus can be transmitted from person to person before the onset of symptoms. Scientific research based on mathematical modelling indicates that restricting travel will be of limited or no benefit in stopping the spread of disease. Historical records of previous influenza pandemics, as well as experience with SARS, have validated this point."

By continuing this travel advisory you are causing considerable damage to the Mexican economy, as well as the travel industry in our own country. This has been highlighted by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in recent remarks to Member States on Influenza A (H1N1), dated May 4th, 2009: "Ladies and Gentlemen, The health, livelihoods and well-being of millions of people are at stake. It is essential that we communicate clearly about what is known, and what to do, about a possible pandemic ... Moreover, our decisions about what to do must be based on scientific evidence or best practice. Those that are not may need to be reversed." He then made the following remarks at the U.N. Secretary General press conference at the UN headquarters on May 5th, 2009 "Yesterday, as you know, I briefed the General Assembly on the latest developments regarding the H1N1 epidemic. As you know, this outbreak is yet another reminder that we live an interconnected world...Our watchword in potential health crises, now and in the future, must be solidarity — a global solidarity. In this spirit, I will therefore be asking governments in the coming weeks to First, reach agreement on sharing of samples of viral and other materials, as well as data on outbreaks, in line with the International Health Regulations; Second, agree to establish coordinated long-term financing mechanisms for supporting poorer countries so that they are able to build their defences against global health threats; Third, ensure that WHO has all the resources it needs, when it needs them; Fourth, reverse restrictions on trade and travel unless there is clear scientific evidence that it is necessary."

I understand that an advisory is not the same as a ban, and that airlines and tour operators are free to choose how they react with regards to the advise offered. Consequently, you will be well aware that by issuing an advisory you are setting a protocol by which the travel industry feels it must act. This situation is causing a lack of responsibility on your part, as well as the travel industries part, with each party referencing the other as the reason for cancelled or amended flights.

In light of current advise from the WHO, and the petitions from the UN, I request that the current travel advisory against all but essential travel to Mexico be downgraded to a travel alert with reference to H1N1. This will allow the travel industry more flexibility in choosing how to react to the current situation. It will also allow our citizens to to decide for themselves what risks they may or may not wish to take when travelling abroad.

Thank you for your consideration, I look forward to your reply.

Kind regards,
Reply to this

14 years ago, May 7th 2009 No: 2 Msg: #72205  
Hello ChillChill 😊

I removed the email addresses from your post. We do this to prevent spammers from gathering and using them. You can send them to those who ask via the private messaging system.

Mel Reply to this

14 years ago, May 7th 2009 No: 3 Msg: #72258  
Not interested in this letter as you also posted on trip advisor. Move on. We in Mexico are. Make the best of it and continue enjoying life. Reply to this

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