REAL FACTS ABOUT TRAVEL TO MEXICO AND ZIKA VIRUS

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1 REAL FACTS ABOUT TRAVEL TO MEXICO AND ZIKA VIRUS Zika Virus Cases in Mexico Are NOT Reasons to Cancel Vacation Plans

2 Zika virus is all over the place: scary looking maps, world health alerts and announcements, and the threat of spread of a little known virus. Seems like a movie script come to life and the end of vacations plan to gorgeous Mexico. But wait before cancelling and NOT going to Mexico; here are the real NOT facts about Zika virus and traveling to Mexico:

3 01 ZIKA VIRUS IS NOT ALL OVER MEXICO. 80 ONLY.003% GLOBALLY Mexico is a very large country and the 80 cases reported have only shown up in 8 states out of 32. In fact, the 80 Zika virus cases found in Mexico represent much less than 0.003% of the total global cases.* The impact on North America is nominal. 02 ZIKA VIRUS IS NOT CURRENTLY IN MAJOR INTERNATIONAL TOURIST DESTINATIONS. 8 STATES It has only been found in 8 states, out of 32. Most of the locations are not near major international tourism destinations. *As of Feb. 15, 2016

4 03 EVERYONE IS NOT CATCHING THE ZIKA VIRUS. 80% PEOPLE +50% RECOVERY The fact is 80% of percent of people who get infected with the virus show no symptoms, and those who do have mild symptoms that typically resolve within a week. Of the 80 reported cases, more than half of those are on their way to full recovery.* 04 ZIKA VIRUS IS NOT LIFE-THREATENING. It is a serious illness, of course, and pregnant women as with any other virus, illness or disease should take precautionary measures and follow their prenatal care. That said, for the rest of the population, according to the World Health Organization, symptoms are usually mild and normally last for only 2-7 days with no side effects and is not life-lingering. There have been no cases of Zika virus reinfection experts believe those infected should have life-long immunity. *As of Feb. 15, 2016

5 05 ZIKA VIRUS IS NOT NEW DISCOVERY While it s new to North America, it was first discovered in It has since been in found in many countries around the world Thailand stated they have had Zika virus since 2006 and tourists flock to their beaches every year with no fear. 06 ZIKA VIRUS IS NOT A REASON TO CANCEL VACATION PLANS. Mexico remains dedicated in to containing the virus and maintains the preventative measures around the country and in tourist destinations, as they have done for many years, so it can continue to be one of the most recognized and beloved tourist destinations in the world. Even the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) February 12, 2016 statement confirms there is no reason to cancel or change travel plans to any country reporting Zika virus cases. With this advisory applying to all countries, it s yet another reason that vacation plans to Mexico, should be a GO!

6 07 MEXICO IS PREPARED. Mexico is a nation with first class health care and has, time and again, worked with the W.H.O. and CDC to stop infectious diseases in its tracks. All of North America has faced these types of threats before and for several years Mexico s major tourist destinations and businesses have practiced world-class procedures to control the mosquito population and minimize cases of dengue and other diseases. Hotels, restaurants, airports, and other areas frequently visited by tourists have in place mosquito eradication practices and closely follow international guidelines to monitor and control their growth as much as possible. Given that the Zika virus is contracted in a manner similar to other mosquito-borne diseases that Mexico has long been combating, the entire country and especially its tourist destinations, are already well prepared to contain it.

7 ZIKA VIRUS in MEXICO Feb 16, Monterrey Los Cabos Mazatlan Cancun Vallarta-Nayarit 1 Guadalajara San Miguel de Allende-Guanajuato Merida 1 1 Riviera Maya Cozumel Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Mexico City Puebla 2 25 Huatulco 45 Number of cases per state Zika virus-free tourism destinations Chiapas Guerrero Jalisco Nuevo León Oaxaca Sinaloa Veracruz Yucatán Source: Health Ministry of Mexico Pins do not represent the actual location of the cases

8 visitmexico.com