You are aware by now from media reports of the outbreak of human swine flu in Mexico. The British Embassy in Guatemala is monitoring the situation, talking to local officials and in constant contact with the Foreign Office in London.

The Foreign Office has recently changed the travel advice for Mexico and we are changing the travel advice for Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. If you are looking for advice on how swine flu might affect you or your travel plans, you should consult the travel advice for the country concerned.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is co-ordinating the global response to human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) and monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic. Comprehensive advice and information on the current situation can be found on the WHO website.

If you are travelling to an affected country you should:

• consult your usual healthcare provider for travel medical advice and further guidance if you have specific concerns
• check our travel advice for the relevant country before travelling.

The Department of Health website gives further information on what the UK is doing in response to the outbreak. The Health Protection Agency has provided advice on measures which can be taken to prevent infection. General infection control practices and good respiratory hand hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including the human swine influenza. This includes:

• covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible
• disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully
• maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people
• cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product
• making sure your children follow this advice

How we can help

We are working closely with the Department of Health and other areas of HM Government. As far as possible, we will continue to deliver a consular service for British nationals resident or travelling overseas through our network of embassies, although there may be a limited services in some places affected by swine flu, depending on the scale and severity of the outbreak. If there is any change to the level of service we can provide, this will be reflected in our travel advice for that country.

British nationals overseas

You should monitor our travel advice and, as with other medical matters, assure yourself of your own healthcare arrangements. This might include obtaining access to anti-viral medicine. If you have any concerns over your own health, you should seek medical advice. The British Government will not be in the position to offer evacuation to British Nationals in the event of an influenza pandemic.

British nationals working overseas should speak to their employers about plans they have in place. Such plans may include access to anti-viral treatment for employees and/or repatriation to the UK.

Many countries may have limited availability of anti-viral drugs. Our embassy staff may be able to provide advice on the availability of local medicines or healthcare, but we cannot provide medical treatment (including anti-viral medication).

If you have flu-like symptoms, you should seek local medical assistance.  We provide here a short list of English speaking general practitioners in Guatemala City. These are private doctors. If you have international medical insurance coverage, please consult your company for assistance.  Retroviral treatments in Guatemala are only available by prescription at private drug stores.  Medical attention at public hospitals is always over-extended and not recommended except for emergency cases.

You should take personal responsibility for your safety in the event of a future pandemic, including access to adequate healthcare and ensuring that your travel documents are up to date.

Travellers should consult a doctor immediately if they show signs of flu-like symptoms.