Health authorities have reinforced epidemiological surveillance measures and health protocols at the Puerto Vallarta airport and seaport following the presence of hantavirus cases in countries with direct connections to this tourist destination, such as the United States and Canada.
This was reported by Jaime Álvarez Zayas, who explained that the International Health Department of the Jalisco Ministry of Health maintains active special protocols for the timely detection of possible cases.
“The notification is issued and the protocol is activated for the identification, detection, and linkage of probable cases here in our municipality,” the physician explained.
The official indicated that both the international airport and the seaport have specialized medical and nursing personnel responsible for implementing sanitary cordons and monitoring any suspicious situation.
“At both the airport and the seaport, there is a team of professionals, doctors and nurses, who are precisely as they were with any other major epidemic, such as COVID-19, for example,” he added.
He explained that in the case of cruise ships, vessels submit a health manifest in advance, reporting any illnesses or patients under medical observation before arriving in port.
He detailed that cruise ships even have onboard hospitals and laboratories, allowing for the timely detection of potential epidemiological diseases, including hantavirus.
If a suspected case is detected, the isolation, protection, and notification protocol is immediately activated, and state and federal authorities are notified to monitor the case and prevent risks to the population.
Regarding international flights, he noted that health surveillance is also conducted through the review of medical manifests and monitoring of passengers with respiratory symptoms or fever.
He indicated that if individuals with compatible symptoms are detected, an epidemiological study is conducted to determine if it is a probable case of hantavirus or another disease of public health significance.
“We are on alert, and these health checkpoints, manned by International Health personnel, are in place at the entry points here in Puerto Vallarta,” he emphasized.
Hantavirus is a disease transmitted primarily through contact with the urine, saliva, or feces of infected rodents. Initial symptoms include fever, fatigue, severe muscle aches, headache, and gastrointestinal discomfort.
The disease can rapidly progress to severe respiratory complications, including coughing, shortness of breath, and fluid buildup in the lungs, which can be life-threatening.
Health authorities recommend that the public avoid contact with rodents or contaminated areas, wear gloves and N95 masks when cleaning areas with potential rodent droppings, and seek immediate medical attention if they experience flu-like symptoms after possible exposure.
Source: jalisco.quadratin
