55 Belizean students in Mexico during flu outbreak

The death toll from the Influenza (H-one-N-one) continues to rise in neighbouring Mexico and a pandemic is now imminent says the World Health Organization. It is estimated that there are fifty-five Belizean students pursuing higher education studies in various states including Quintana Roo, Monterey, Yucatan, Chihuahua and Veracruz. News Five contacted the Belize Embassy in Mexico City to find out how the students and other Belizeans are coping. Counselor, Maximiliano Ruiz says they are safe and are prepared.

Maximiliano Ruiz, Councillor, Belize Embassy in Mexico
“We have taken all the precautions and measures to inform properly our Belizean students. We have sent them obviously the information piece in terms of what are the measures, the health measures that they need to adhere to and the measures that they need to follow completely in terms of how to prevent getting the flu. Right now, the students’ classes have been suspended up to May the sixth. To understanding, the Mexican education and health officials would make a decision by May the fifth, in terms of if they will lift the ban in terms of students resuming classes on the sixth of May or extending the closure of schools, of classes. There is a general concern of on the terms of how they would…what is the situation in case of how they will in case they would handle if infected with the virus. If there is any emergency, we have informed them, obviously, to at least stay where they are up to now until further instructions from the Mexican government.”

Earlier today, the Mexican Government requested the closures of some business establishments as a measure to contain the spread of the flu.