Mexican state Quintana Roo has 11 confirmed cases of Influenza A(H1N1)

We reported on Tuesday night that three cases of Influenza A (H1N1) were confirmed in the neighbouring state of Quintana Roo. Well, the news tonight has changed dramatically and that number has increased to eleven cases. This report was verified by the Mexican Embassy earlier today, coinciding with the re-opening of the Commercial Free Zone at the northern border. Aside from the reported cases in Calderitas, Carillo Puerto, and Cancun, two new cases have been confirmed in Chetumal and the remaining cases are spread through out the state. According to the Mexican Embassy, the eleven infected persons were treated and sent home. It is also known that there are currently sixteen suspected cases in the states’ hospitals. The Ministry of Health and its Mexican counterparts have been collaborating in preventative measures along the borders to contain the spread of the virus and it is known that the Director of Health Services, Dr. Michael Pitts, headed north this afternoon. News Five spoke with Mexican Press Officer, Marcelino Miranda, who verified the cases.

Marcelino Miranda, Mexican Press Officer
“At the moment, we have confirmation that in the state of Quintana Roo, there are eleven confirmed cases of Influenza A (H-one-N-one). This means that since this problem started there had been accumulated eleven cases. We have this report now because the older samples have been sent to Mexico City to the National Institute of the Epidemiological Diagnosis and therefore now we have confirmed cases out of the suspected cases that were reported in Quintana Roo. At the moment there are ninety-seven suspected cases in Quintana Roo but all of them except eleven have been negative.”

According to Miranda, Mexican health authorities are discouraging mass gatherings and have given directives on measures to take in public transportation.