Level 2, 3, and 4 State Department Travel Advisories Updated for Mexico

The US State Department updated it’s Level 2 Travel Advisory, Exercise Increased Caution, on November 15, 2018.   

This Travel Advisory update is ‘due to crime in some areas in Mexico.’ 

‘In addition to describing security conditions in each state, the current update reflects the latest U.S. government restrictions on its personnel for travel, to include changes in Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Morelos, Nayarit, and Oaxaca,’ said this update.   

This Travel Advisory says ‘the U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico as travel by U.S. government employees to these areas is prohibited or significantly restricted.’ 

Specifically, this State Department Advisory says Americans should not travel to: 

• Colima state due to crime,
• Guerrero state due to crime
• Michoacán state due to crime,
• Sinaloa state due to crime,
• Tamaulipas state due to crime.

Moreover, U.S. government employees may not drive from the U.S.-Mexico border to or from the interior parts of Mexico, with the exception of daytime travel within Baja California, and between Nogales and Hermosillo, on Mexican Federal Highway 15D. 

Previously, on September 25th, the Federal and state authorities in Mexico disarmed the city of Acapulco's police force, as they investigate possible ties to drug gangs, according to the US Embassy in Mexico.   

The State Department says Americans visiting Mexico should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. 

As of November 18, 2018, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had not issued a Travel Alert.   

But, on October 3, 2018, the Chiapas Department of Public Health revealed 1,350 confirmed dengue virus cases and 8 related deaths during 2018.   

This means the Mexico State of Chiapas is on preventive alert for the dengue virus. 

Chiapas is located on the southern Mexico border with Guatemala.   

The CDC suggests Americans planning to visit Mexico confirm their MMR, DTaP, varicella, and polio vaccinations. 

Additionally, infectious diseases such as dengue and yellow fever virus are present in certain areas of Mexico. 

And, since a Zika infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects, pregnant women should not travel to Mexico, says the CDC. 

Recent Mexico news:

• Southern Mexico Reports 8 Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Fatalities
• US State Department Issues Level 2 Travel Advisory for Mexico
• Cuba Joins Mexico and Indonesia Confirming Dengue Virus Outbreaks