UAE | Health
Mexican expatriates fear for loved ones amid deadly swine flu outbreak
Swine flu leaves expats in the UAE worried for relatives, with many postponing trip home.
- By Sunita Menon, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:16 April 27, 2009
- Image Credit: AP
- Women wearing face masks stand outside Aurelio Valdivieso Hospital in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Dubai: Swine flu has left Mexicans in the UAE worried for their relatives back home, with many having to postpone their summer trip to Mexico City.
"I am extremely worried. It's a new disease. My parents are in Mexico City as well as in St Louis where the outbreak has taken place," said Adriana Williams, a Dubai-based homemaker.
The estimated 600 to 700 Mexicans in the UAE on Monday received an e-mail from their consulate in Dubai updating them with the latest precautionary steps taken by the government of Mexico.
It said that as per the report issued by the National Council of Health in Mexico there were 1,384 people who had been registered for pneumonia which could be an indicator of the possible contagious flu. Of these 1,384 people over 9,000 were released from hospital, 81 people were reported dead.
"The health authorities over there don't have the vaccine to tackle this swine flu. According to them the bird flu vaccine will help them out. I spoke to my brother last night and he informed me all public events are suspended until May 6 including church events. Everyone is wearing mouth masks. St Louis, according to my brother currently wears the look of a ghost town. Everyone is scared, the hotels and cafes are closed," said Williams, who is in constant touch with her family members.
She had planned a trip to Mexico but has had to postpone it until the swine flu scare is taken care of.
"I don't know when I will be able to travel. The population of Mexico City is about 22 million and the apparently the flu is targeting minors and the elderly," she added.
Dubai resident Cecila Romero, also had to put off her plan to travel to Mexico.
She said: "Everybody in my family over there is quite scared. People are heading to the supermarkets to stock up on groceries in case they have to stay home."
Romero's sister was due to visit her but has cancelled her trip. It is a precautionary step since I am pregnant and also have a small baby, said Romero.
Dubai-based Mexicans whose relatives reside in the North of Mexico said they were relieved that the flu has not made its presence felt in those areas.
Do you know anyone who is in an affected area? Has the swine flu affected your business or travel plans?
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