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Health
Health problems sometimes affect visitors to Mexico. Information
on health precautions can be obtained from local health departments
or private doctors. General guidance can also be found in the
U.S. Public Health Service book, Health Information for International
Travel, available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.
For the most current information on immunizations and heath
risks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains
an international travelers hotline at 1-888-232-3228, an automated
faxback service at 1-888-232-3299 and a home page on the Internet
at http://www.cdc.gov/.
It is wise to review your health insurance policy before you
travel. In some places, particularly at resorts, medical costs
can be as high or higher than in the United States. Medicare/Medicaid
does not cover you when you are outside the United States. If
your insurance policy does not cover you in Mexico, it is strongly
recommended that you purchase a policy that does. There are short-term
health insurance policies designed specifically to cover travel.
Medical facilities in Mexico differ from those in the United
States. Adequate medical care can be found in all major cities.
There are some excellent health facilities in Mexico City. Some
remote areas or coastal islands may have few or no medical facilities.
For these reasons, in addition to medical insurance that you can
use in Mexico, consider obtaining insurance or joining a medical
assistance program to cover the very high cost of medical evacuation
in the event of an accident or serious illness. As part of the
coverage, these programs usually offer emergency consultation
by telephone. They may refer you to the nearest hospital or call
for help on your behalf; they may translate your instructions
to a health care worker on the scene. The cost of medical evacuation
coverage can be as low as $50.00 for a trip of 30 days. Without
this insurance, medical evacuation can cost thousands of dollars.
If your travel agent cannot direct you to a medical assistance
company, look for information in travel magazines. The names of
some companies that provide medical evacuation coverage or services
are listed in our publication, Medical
Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, . The U.S.
government cannot pay to have you medically evacuated to the United
States.
Immunizations are normally recommended against diphtheria, tetanus,
polio, typhoid, and hepatitis A for travelers. Generally, these
immunizations are administered during childhood. For visitors
coming directly from the United States, no immunization certification
is required to enter Mexico. If you are traveling from an area
known to be infected with yellow fever, a vaccination certificate
is required.
Malaria is found in some rural areas of Mexico, particularly
those near the southwest coast. Travelers to malarial areas should
consult their physician or the U.S. Public Health Service and
take the recommended dosage of chloroquine or other anti-malarial
medication. Although chloroquine is not considered necessary for
travelers to the major resort areas on the Pacific and Gulf coasts,
travelers to those areas should use insect repellent and take
other personal protection measures to reduce contact with mosquitoes,
particularly from dusk to dawn when malaria transmission is most
likely.
Air pollution in Mexico City is severe. It is most dangerous
during thermal inversions which occur most often from December
to May. Air pollution plus Mexico City s high altitude are a particular
health risk for the elderly and persons with high blood pressure,
anemia, or respiratory or cardiac problems. If this applies to
you, consult your doctor before traveling to Mexico City.
In high altitude areas, such as Mexico City, most people need
a short adjustment period. Spend the first few days in a leisurely
manner, with a light diet and reduced intake of alcohol. Avoid
strenuous activity, including everything from sports to rushing
up the stairs. Reaction signs to high altitude are lack of energy,
a tendency to tire easily, shortness of breath, occasional dizziness,
and insomnia.
Drink only bottled water or water that has been boiled for 20
minutes. Beware of ice cubes that may not have been made with
purified water. Vegetables and fruits should be peeled or washed
in a purifying solution. A good rule to follow is if you can t
peel it or cook it, do not eat it. Diarrhea may benefit from antimicrobial
treatment which may be prescribed or purchased over the counter.
Travelers should consult a physician, rather thanattempt self-medication,
if the diarrhea is severe or persists several days.
Safety Tips
In an emergency, call [91] (5) 250-0123, the 24-hour
hotline of the Mexican Ministry of Tourism. They also have two
toll free numbers: if calling within Mexico [91] 800-90-392 and
from the U.S. 1-800-482-9832. The hotline is for immediate assistance
but it can give you general, nonemergency guidance as well. It
is an important number to keep with you. If necessary, in an emergency,
you may also call the U.S. Embassy or the nearest U.S. consulate
or consular agency. (See telephone numbers at the end of this
brochure.)
As a visitor to Mexico, be alert to your new surroundings. Problem
situations in Mexico may be different from those you are used
to, and safety regulations and their enforcement are generally
not equivalent to U.S. standards.
In large cities, take the same precautions against assault,
robbery, or pickpockets that you would take in any large U.S.
city. Be aware that women and small children, as well as men,
can be pickpockets or purse snatchers. Keep your billfold in an
inner front pocket; carry your purse tucked securely under your
arm; and wear the shoulder strap of your camera or bag across
your chest. To guard against thieves on motorcycles, walk away
from the curb and carry your purse away from the street.
At the Hotel. Travelers to Mexico should leave valuables
and irreplaceable items in a safe place. All visitors are encouraged
to make use of hotel safes when available.
On Public Transport. Be vigilant in bus and train stations
and on public transport. Watch for pickpockets in these areas.
On Streets and Highways. Be wary of persons representing
themselves as Mexican police or other local officials. It is not
uncommon for Americans to become victims of harassment, mistreatment
and extortion by Mexican law enforcement and other officials.
Mexican authorities are concerned about these incidents and have
cooperated in investigating such cases. You must, however,
have the officer s name, badge number, and patrol car number to
pursue a complaint. Make a note of this information if
you are ever involved with police or other officials.
Do not be surprised if you encounter several types of police
in Mexico. The Preventive Police, the Transit Police and the Federal
Highway Police all wear uniforms. The Judicial Police who work
for the public prosecutor are not uniformed.
At the Pool or Beach. Do not leave your belongings on
the beach while you are swimming. Keep your passport and other
valuables in the hotel safe.
Visitors to Mexican resorts should carefully assess the risk
potential of recreational activities. Sports and aquatic equipment
that you rent may not meet U.S. safety standards nor be covered
by any accident insurance. For example, unless you are certain
that scuba diving equipment is up to standard, do not use it.
Inexperienced scuba divers should beware of dive shops that promise
to "certify" you after a few hours instruction. Safe diving requires
lengthy training.
Parasailing is offered at many Mexican beach resorts. Be aware
that by putting your name on the passenger list, you may be relieving
the boat operator and owner of responsibility for your safety.
There have been cases in which tourists have been dragged through
palm trees or slammed into hotel walls while participating in
this activity.
Be extremely careful when renting jet-skis. Several tourists
have been killed or injured in jet-ski accidents, particularly
when participating in group tours. Often inexperienced tour guides
allow their clients to follow too closely or operate the jet-skis
in other unsafe manners. In one case the jet-ski rental company
carried liability insurance limited to $2,500 U.S. dollars. Make
sure that the rental company has adequate medical/accident insurance,
is staffed with personnel on-site with water rescue training,
and properly demonstrates safe operation of the vehicle to you
before you rent or operate such equipment.
Do not use pools or beaches without lifeguards, or, if you do,
exercise extreme caution. Do not dive nto unknown bodies of water
because hidden rocks or shallow depths can cause serious injury
or death. Some Mexican beaches, such as those in Cancun, have
warning signs about undertow; take them seriously. Newer resorts
may lack comprehensive medical facilities.
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