While the World Health Organization announced that the zika virus is now a global health crisis and other health departments are warning people of the virus' severity, Mexico's health ministry sought to do otherwise. The Ministry downplayed the severity of the virus within their borders, presumably so that its tourism industry will not be affected.
Reuters Health reported that the Ministry essentially announced that the Zika virus is no threat at all. Specifically, it said that the disease was already under control and very far from the main tourist centers.
In a meeting held in Cancun, Alberto Diaz, a senior official from the ministry, specifically told tour operators that they have nothing to worry about for their business because the infection presents "no risk" for tourist activities. Diaz only said that the virus would naturally spread but this is still nothing for the operators to be worried about.
According to Diaz, the infection only led to few complications so far. Mexico is said to be adhering to all the guidelines provided by the World Health Organization as well. Diaz's statements ran counter with the statements and warnings issued thus far in other affected countries within the same region as Mexico.
The Head of the Pan American Health Organization actually said more resources are needed as soon as possible to fight the outbreak, ABC News reported. In a meeting in Uruguay, Carissa Etienne told health ministers from Latin America that each and every affected nation within the region should contribute to the resources necessary to combat this virus.
Examples of some programs that should be implemented as soon as possible are mosquito control strategies and public awareness campaigns. Etienne emphasized the need to act now although a complete understanding Zika virus is yet to arrived at. "One fact of which we are unequivocally sure is that the Zika virus-like dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever viruses-is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The most effective control measures are the prevention of mosquito bites and the reduction of mosquito populations," she said.