• 2009.05.09: May 9, 2009: Headlines: COS - Mexico: Safety: Medicine: Public Health: Personal Web Site: Peace Corps Volunteer A Wolverine In Mexico writes: So the swine-flu standfast was lowered on Thursday, which meant that we could take trips outside of our sites--freedom!  Sunday, May 10, 2009 - 10:00 pm [2]

• 2009.04.27: April 27, 2009: Headlines: COS - Mexico: COS - Azerbaijan: Safety: Medicine: Public Health: Personal Web Site: Peace Corps Volunteer "27 Months in Azerbaijan" writes: Over here, Azerbaijan is safe and sound because pork and pork products are hard to find in this Muslim country  Saturday, May 02, 2009 - 11:05 am [1]

• 2009.04.29: April 29, 2009: Headlines: COS - Mexico: Safety: Medicine: Public Health: Personal Web Site: Peace Corps Volunteer "A Wolverine In Mexico" writes: We are taking the standard precautions of washing our hands a lot, avoiding kissing / handshaking, and avoiding crowds  Saturday, May 02, 2009 - 11:06 am [1]

• 2009.05.01: May 1, 2009: Headlines: COS - Mexico: COS - Dominican Republic: Safety: Medicine: Public Health: Personal Web Site: Peace Corps Volunteer "The Chronicles of Tim in the Jungle" writes: I logged onto the web today to check email, and I was bombarded with messages from friends and family asking me about this swine flu that seems to be all the rage in America right now  Saturday, May 02, 2009 - 11:05 am [1]

• 2009.05.01: May 1, 2009: Headlines: COS - Mexico: COS - El Salvador: Safety: Medicine: Public Health: Personal Web Site: Peace Corps Volunteer "Fly to El Salvador" writes: swine flu is hitting the world right now. strangely, it seems that at the moment el salvador is a safer place to be than texas  Saturday, May 02, 2009 - 11:07 am [1]

• 2009.05.02: May 2, 2009: Headlines: COS - Mexico: COS - Nicaragua: Safety: Medicine: Public Health: Personal Web Site: Peace Corps Volunteer Inquisitive Escapades writes from Nicarauga: In case you all were wondering, there is NO swine flu in this country, as of yet. We aren’t alowed to travel to Mexico though.  Sunday, May 03, 2009 - 10:22 am [1]

• 2009.05.02: May 2, 2009: Headlines: COS - Mexico: Safety: Medicine: Public Health: Personal Web Site: Peace Corps Volunteer "A Wolverine In Mexico" writes: swine flu standfast  Sunday, May 03, 2009 - 10:23 am [1]

• 2009.05.03: May 3, 2009: Headlines: COS - Mexico: Safety: Medicine: Public Health: Personal Web Site: Peace Corps Volunteer "Jensen's Travels: Colorado to Guanajuato" writes: Here's a new update on the Peace Corps situation from here in Mexico  Tuesday, May 05, 2009 - 10:08 pm [1]

• 2009.05.05: May 5, 2009: Headlines: COS - Mexico: COS - Malawi: Safety: Medicine: Public Health: Personal Web Site: Malawi Peace Corps Volunteer "Because They’re Burning Bricks" writes: I find it hilarious that I know people whose parents want them to get back home because of swine flu  Tuesday, May 05, 2009 - 10:06 pm [1]

• 2009.05.05: May 5, 2009: Headlines: COS - Mexico: Safety: Medicine: Public Health: Headquarters: PCOL Exclusive: Peace Corps says Mexico is only Country where volunteers are on standfast Tuesday, May 05, 2009 - 10:13 pm [1]

• 2009.05.07: May 7, 2009: Headlines: COS - Mexico: COS - Guatemala: Safety: Medicine: Public Health: Personal Web Site: Peace Corps Volunteer Guatemalteca writes: Ok, so the swine flu...oh, sorry...H1N1 or something more scientific sounding like that...has reached Guatemala  Thursday, May 07, 2009 - 8:10 pm [1]

Peace Corps Continues to Monitor 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus in Mexico and Worldwide



Peace Corps is closely monitoring the 2009 H1N1 flu virus, and Peace Corps staff and Volunteers worldwide have been advised of the situation, and of precautions they should take. We are pleased to report that there have been no reported cases of H1N1 within the Peace Corps community. Peace Corps staff in Washington, including a full-time epidemiologist, is working with the Department of State, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and others to monitor the situation and to ensure that, as an organization, we are ready to respond to any eventuality.

Peace Corps Continues to Monitor 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus in Mexico and Worldwide

Peace Corps Monitoring 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus in Mexico and Worldwide

Caption: Some catholics gathered at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Mexico City on April 27, 2009. They prayed for the sick people, the government and the rest of the society. Hoping they make "good decisions" about the swine flu epidemic in our country. Photo: Pidiendo por el fin de la epidemia by sarihuella Flickr Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic

Agency responding proactively to ensure Volunteers' good health

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 1, 2009 - Peace Corps continues its efforts to ensure the safety of its Volunteers serving in Mexico and worldwide following the outbreak of the 2009 H1N1 flu virus in Mexico and worldwide this past week. Acting Director Jody K. Olsen confirmed that all 57 Volunteers and trainees serving in Mexico have been contacted and advised of the situation and the precautions they should take, and all Volunteers are well.

Peace Corps is closely monitoring the 2009 H1N1 flu virus, and Peace Corps staff and Volunteers worldwide have been advised of the situation, and of precautions they should take. We are pleased to report that there have been no reported cases of H1N1 within the Peace Corps community.

Said Olsen, "The health and wellness of our Volunteers is of prime importance to Peace Corps. In response to the 2009 H1N1 flu virus, Peace Corps has a pandemic influenza plan in place that provides for dissemination of timely information to Volunteers and staff, including precautions that should be taken by those at risk. Peace Corps continues to work with health officials in the U.S., Mexico and elsewhere to monitor the situation and will take appropriate action to ensure our Volunteers' safety."

The acting secretary of HHS has declared a public health emergency. This is a precautionary measure employed by HHS when a public health emergency exists that affects or has significant potential to affect national security. The Peace Corps agency response to this declared public health emergency involves three components: contingency plans, dissemination of up-to-date information, and implementation.

Peace Corps staff in Washington, including a full-time epidemiologist, is working with the Department of State, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and others to monitor the situation and to ensure that, as an organization, we are ready to respond to any eventuality.

As part of its agency-wide response to emergency situations, Peace Corps has developed plans to respond to an influenza outbreak and has anti-viral medications available which are effective in treating this particular flu strain. In addition, each Peace Corps program has an Emergency Action Plan specific to that country and developed in cooperation with Peace Corps Washington and the local U.S. Embassy. The plans are evaluated and tested frequently and information is updated accordingly. Volunteers are thoroughly trained in their roles and responsibilities, and posts are well-prepared for all emergencies.

For inquiries specific to Mexico, families may contact the Peace Corps/Mexico Desk with any questions or concerns they may have at 1-800-424-8580, Extension 2520 during business hours. For all other inquiries, the Office of Special Services maintains a 24-hour, 7 days a week duty system and can be reached at the following numbers: 1-800-424-8580, Extension 1470 or 202-692-1470. The Office of Special Services can also be contacted via e-mail at ossdutyofficer@peacecorps.gov.

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: May, 2009; Peace Corps Mexico; Directory of Mexico RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Mexico RPCVs; Safety and Security of Volunteers; Medicine; Public Health

When this story was posted in May 2009, this was on the front page of PCOL:




Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers

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April 19, 2009: Obama's Public Diplomacy Obama engages Students in Roundtable in Turkey 7 Apr To Rebuild US-Muslim Relations Obama Is Not Enough 26 Mar PC Model in Mexico sends Older Specialized PCVs 19 Apr Peace Corps Needs Top-Down Re-Examination 19 Apr Peace Corps Returns To Rwanda with 32 PCVs 17 Apr Read from "First Comes Love Then Comes Malaria" 16 Apr Does Mike Honda want to head Peace Corps? 15 Apr Paul Theroux promotes Responsible Tourism 3 Apr Vice President Biden Meets PCVs In Costa Rica 1 Apr Vote on Christopher R. Hill delayed by opponents 1 Apr Joseph Acaba makes First Spacewalk 31 Mar Petri Vindicated for Advocacy of Direct Loans to Students 30 Mar Mateo Paneitz devotes life to helping poor in Guatemala 29 Mar Read from "The Sultan and the Mermaid Queen" 16 Apr Drew Marinelli makes 6000-mile bicycle trip across US 28 Mar Senate votes to triple AmeriCorps' ranks 27 Mar Four Cycling RPCVs have been friends for 45 years 25 Mar Denice Traina Hopes Hives will Help Harrisburg 24 Mar "Expand the Band" brings Instruments to South Africa 24 Mar Maria Shriver testifies on her Father's Alzheimer's 24 Mar Charles R. Larson donates African collection to UT 23 Mar Read more stories from March and April 2009.

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PCOL's Candidate for Peace Corps Director Honduras RPCV Jon Carson, 33, presided over thousands of workers as national field director for the Obama campaign and said the biggest challenge -- and surprise -- was the volume of volunteer help, including more than 15,000 "super volunteers," who were a big part of what made Obama's campaign so successful. PCOL endorses Jon Carson as the man who can revitalize the Peace Corps, bring it into the internet age, and meet Obama's goal of doubling the size of the Peace Corps by 2011.

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Director Ron Tschetter: The PCOL Interview Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter sat down for an in-depth interview to discuss the evacuation from Bolivia, political appointees at Peace Corps headquarters, the five year rule, the Peace Corps Foundation, the internet and the Peace Corps, how the transition is going, and what the prospects are for doubling the size of the Peace Corps by 2011. Read the interview and you are sure to learn something new about the Peace Corps. PCOL previously did an interview with Director Gaddi Vasquez.

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