Update: Influenza not a problem in Playa
Playa del Carmen, May 27 | Despìte media hysteria about the subject, a month after the first reports of an outbreak of swine flu, there have still been no recorded cases in Playa del Carmen. At this moment, the situation is well under control in Mexico and the health warnings are over.
Needless to say, at IH Riviera Maya we have been very concerned to ensure that all the precautionary measures recommended by the government were implemented so that the school, the residence, our host families and a stay in Playa del Carmen in general were as safe as in normal circumstances.
Our current students, as well as our staff, have been unconcerned by the outbreak in Mexico City as they have seen that things are not nearly as bad as has been publicized.
Ross Fairbanks, from the UK, who has spent eight weeks with us and departs this Friday, says:
I've been studying at IH Riviera Maya for 2 months. There have been no cases of swine flu here in Playa del Carmen but we've been given lots of information about the situation and I feel very safe here. In the streets people aren't wearing masks and life is as per normal. I have had a great time here and I am sad to be leaving. Don't worry — it's very safe and you'll have a great time here.
Important: Remember that, although there is currently no vaccine against swine flu (a normal flu jab does not protect you), it is a perfectly curable illness, provided that you receive early medical attention.
More information
- FAQs about swine flu (Mexican Foreign Ministry, in English)
- Información sobre la Influenza A en México (Mexican Government, in Spanish)
Further links to more information in our previous reports:
>> May 7: Influenza under control: latest news
>> April 30: Swine flu: current situation in Playa del Carmen
May 27th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Aquí en Playa del Carmen no se ve nada de la influenza. La vida es normal y yo escuché que en Playa del Carmen no hay ningún caso de influenza. En la televisión vi que en la Ciudad de México y en otros lugares la gente usa cubrebocas, pero la influenza está bajo control y las escuelas están abiertas. No hay ningún motivo para preocuparse. Recomiendo a todos los que quieren estudiar español que vengan a Ih Riviera Maya, se van a divertir mucho.
Llevo 6 meses (!) en Ih Riviera Maya ,-)
May 27th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Me parece lamentable la situación por la que está pasando nuestro país a consecuencia de esta enfermedad. Particularmente el estado de Quintana Roo se ha visto afectado en su economía siendo su principal actividad el turismo. La realidad es otra. Aquí, aparte de las secuelas que la influenza a dejado, todo es normal. Se respira un ambiente de confianza y no ha habido ni un solo caso de contagio en Playa del Carmen. Solo tememos que los extranjeros que quieren viajar a nuestro país sigan temiendo.