Due to the recent swine flu outbreak, the World Aquaculture Society (WAS) and its sponsors announced they will postpone the World Aquaculture 2009 conference in Veracruz, Mexico from 25 to 29 May to 25 to 29 September.
To ensure a smooth transition for all participants and exhibitors, the WAS is maintaining the same conference schedule and registrant assignments.
"Rest assured that all abstract submissions, registrations, payments and assignments will be carried over to the new dates with appropriate time for changes [and] cancellations," WAS stated on its Web site.
Additionally, most major U.S. airlines are allowing for reduced or waived ticket rescheduling fees for travel to Mexico scheduled during May.
According to John Cooksey, WAS conference manager, rescheduling the conference was based on the fact that "most companies and countries had either banned or restricted travel to Mexico and would not lift the ban in time even if the flu scare stopped today."
"Experts have said it [the swine flu] will not be a problem by September," said Cooksey.
As of 4 May, the World Health Organization had reported 1,085 cases of swine flu, or influenza A (H1N1), infections worldwide. Of those 1,085 cases, Mexico reported 590 cases, including 25 deaths. The United States reported 286 cases, including one death.
While the WHO has not yet closed any borders or restricted travel, they advise ill people to delay international travel and people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention.
May 4, 2009
