Swine flu: Travel update

The U.S. has not yet issued an alert for travelers to Mexico related to swine flu. But officials expect that the U.S. State Department would (on its travel alert page).

UPDATE: Travel alerts have been issued by the State Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requesting "nonessential travel to Mexico be avoided". Suppliers are waiving fees and allowing rebooking up to May 16, 2009 at this time.

Meanwhile, the CDC is preparing yellow cards for travelers with details about the illness, which is apparently hard to distinguish from seasonal flu. If you have had the flu shot and come down with flu like symtoms contact your doctor as you are NOT immune from this strain.

Thankfully, several airlines, such as Continental, United, and US Airways, are waiving change penalties for customers flying through Mexico because of an outbreak of swine flu.

For example, American Airlines is waiving its usual fee for changing bookings for anyone traveling to, from, or through Mexico through May 6 (if you bought your ticket before this past weekend).

Cruise lines have not reported any outbreaks. About one out of every four cruises stop at a Mexican port. The cruise line has altered and repositioned cruises to Mexico. If your booked your cruise through The Travel DRS information will be sent to you on new ports.

"Mexico's health minister said swine flu has killed up to 86 people and likely sickened up to 1,400 since April 13," reports the AP.

Some countries, such as India, and the European Union are discouraging non-essential travel to the U.S. and to our southern neighbor.

RELATED
Mexico's official site: Mexico-update.com

The CDC's official site for swine flu