Mexico Officials Claim Zika Does Not Pose a Risk to Tourists

mosquito
Photo by Freeimages.com/Cagatay Cevik

Mexico’s Ministry of Health and other officials met with tour operators from the U.S and Canada this week to discuss the Zika virus, and the threat it poses to tourists headed to Mexico.

One of those officials, Dr. Alberto Diaz Quiñonez, deputy general director of the Mexican Institute for Diagnosticand Epidemiology, said in a release that the country has seen 34 confirmed cases of the Zika virus. 

All of the 34 cases in Mexico are from Mexican nationals. These individuals are living in rural Mexico, which is far away from popular tourist destinations. However, the release did not give specifics on those rural locations where Zika was confirmed.

“While the Zika virus is inevitable in Mexico given its vast size, climate and trade in the region, the number of cases remains very low. Strong prevention efforts have already been in practice for years to prevent similar diseases.” Dr. Quiñonez said. “Given these facts, there is no threat to tourists visiting Mexico,” he continued.

Mexico has procedures already in place to control the mosquito population and minimize mosquito-born illness in places like restaurants, hotels and airports, the release said.