Mexico: Adventist Church closes its churches and schools in wake of swine flu outbreak
April 28, 2009 – Mexico City, Mexico…[Libna Stevens/IAD]
In the wake of the swine flu outbreak which has claimed 150 lives in Mexico, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in there is taking measures to reduce the probability of an outbreak reaching its institutions and churches.
Mexico's four major church regions have cancelled church services throughout its 2,571 churches and suspended classes in the 233 Adventist schools and universities, following the federal governments mandate to shut down large gatherings and all public and private schools through May 6th.
“We have sent out information to our conferences and missions down to our pastors and church members to take proper health precautions and wait for further notice on when our churches will resume church services,” said Pastor Tomas Torres, president of the church in Central Mexico from his office in Mexico City.
Pastor Torres said that camporees, conventions and traveling outside of the country were also cancelled due to the flu threatening the territory.
“We are taking the necessary measures to be of support if the situation worsens,” he added.
Pastor Cesar Gomez, president of the Inter-Oceanic church region, said his membership of over 155,000 was reminded to take preventive measures to stay healthy.
“We have notified our churches which are mostly structured into small groups to meet with their groups until churches are opened once again,” said Gomez.
Similarly, church leaders in the North and South Mexico, have suspended their church services and events and have sent recommendations to church members to take serious measures and follow the instructions of the country's Ministry of Health through this situation.
The Adventist-run institution Montemorelos University has also closed its doors to the more than 2,000 students who attend the campus this week through May 6th, said university president Dr. Ismael Castillo.
“Even though no cases have been detected in the State of Nuevo Leon, we are taking the precautionary measures to avoid any situation that can turn into a real threat,” said Castillo. “We are concerned with a possible outbreak but the university community here is informed on what precautionary measures to take if symptoms arise and our hospital is serving the community as usual.”
Although offices and certain services are operating in the university, the church services this next weekend will be held behind closed doors and transmitted through the university's television and the internet.
With a membership of over half a million members in Mexico, top leaders of the church in Inter-America are aware of the risks the suspected flu could have on its members.
“We are very concerned with our members in Mexico and have been in constant communication with our church leaders there,” said Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America. “Our church leaders have made the necessary decisions for the benefit of our church members and their communities.”
As the Executive Committee meetings are scheduled to be held next month at the church's headquarter office in Miami, Florida, Pastor Leito said his team of administrators and leaders were looking at other options in case travel to the United States becomes restricted throughout the Division territory during that time.
Medical experts have stated that the swine influenza, or swine flu, is caused by a virus that is endemic in pigs (swine). Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Preventing measures such as frequent washing of hands with soap and water help stop the spreading of the virus.
