** Access to tourists and workers was closed following a notification from the port captain of Tuxpan Navy Minister.
Posarica, Ver.-
(AVC/Mizal Olmedo)
In view of the detection of avian influenza in a dead bird found on the island of the “Lobos” coral reef system in the Gulf of Mexico, the site has closed access to tourists and workers in Tuxpan, according to a notification from the Navy Secretary’s port captain.
The Tuxpan Harbor Master confirmed to the maritime community through a notice issued on November 6 that the Lobos Tuxpan Coral Reef System Flora and Fauna Reserve Authority heeded the recommendations of Sanitary Jurisdiction II.
“Due to a dead bird on Isla Lobos being infected with avian influenza, access to the island for tourists must be closed and access restricted to those working in the area until the results of human samples are available,” the warning states.
Isla Lobos is located in the Gulf of Mexico, 14 kilometers east of Tamiawa. It is part of the Novera Cruzano Reef System that begins in Tuxpan and covers an area of 2.5 square kilometers.
Isla Lobos is considered the largest island in the state of Veracruz that allows tourism and the closest island to the central region of the country.
There is uncertainty among tourism service providers, as travel to the islands is one of the main attractions for tourists in Tuxpan and Tamiawa.
No additional information has been released by health authorities so far, and corresponding laboratory and field studies of more birds in the reef system are expected to be conducted to determine the severity.