Mexico Hosts High Level North American Meeting in Response to 2009 Influenza A

MEXICO - The Government of Mexico hosted a meeting Monday Oct. 5, 2009 with senior officials from Canada and the United States as part of ongoing North American efforts to address the challenges posed by the 2009 Influenza A(H1N1).

The objectives of the meeting were for the three countries to take stock of efforts to date, and to continue sharing lessons learned and strategies to further prepare for and respond to the 2009 Influenza A(H1N1) virus.

Following the Summit of Health Ministers in Cancun in July and the declaration issued at the North American Leaders Summit in Guadalajara in August and building on the North American Plan for Avian and Pandemic Influenza, officials emphasized the importance of ongoing and enhanced collaboration among the three countries in responding to the spread of 2009 Influenza A(H1N1).

Senior officials highlighted the valuable experience gained and agreed on the importance of inter-sectoral coordination as a key step in building a continental response. They agreed that improved dialogue and transparency would help address the health challenges posed by pandemic influenza while minimizing the negative impact of disease on the security and safety of North America.

The Mexican delegation was led by Mauricio Hernandez, Deputy Secretary of Health Prevention and Promotion of the Ministry of Health and by Alejandro Poiré, Deputy Secretary of Population, Migration and Religious Affairs of the Ministry of the Interior.

The United States was represented by Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Jane Holl Lute, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Alexander Garza, and Dr. Gerald Parker, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response of Health and Human Services.

Canada was represented by the Deputy Minister of Health Morris Rosenberg and the Associate Deputy Minister of Public Safety Myles Kirvan.

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