Jalisco Strengthens Airport Arrival Security for West Nile Virus Informador
go to original September 6, 2012

The Secretariat of Health Jalisco (SSJ) reinforced security measures at the airports of Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta due to an alert from the United States of the West Nile virus.

Leandro Hernandez Barrios, head of the Department of Vectores y Zoonosis, reported that the Culex mosquito is the transmitter of the virus, which has presence in areas surrounding dams and other bodies of water in rural areas of the country.

According to statistics, there have been no recorded cases in animals since 2003, and no cases in humans in Jalisco.

The official said the level of alert at this time is called "Sanitary Nuisance" ("molestia sanitaria"). Barrios Hernández said that security measures at the two airports in the State were reinforced to prevent the entry of the virus from the United States.

"All international flights are fumigated" he explained, "and these measures also apply to the vacinity around the air terminals and four colonies. These measures have been in force for the past three weeks."

Health Authorities in Jalisco (SSJ) are asking the public to take precautionary measures, similar to those that were taken with dengue.

This disease, detected for the first time in 1999 in the United States, climbed dramatically this year and is transmitted by the Culex mosquito. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe.

Translated by Team Angels