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Novel H1N1 Influenza and International Travel
Novel H1N1 flu cases have been reported in many countries around the world, with most of the cases being reported from the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Overall, the numbers of new cases of novel H1N1 flu in Mexico and the United States appears to be declining. However, outbreaks continue to be reported in some communities.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the normal flu season typically occurs sometime during April-September, and some countries in the Southern Hemisphere are reporting increasing numbers of cases of novel H1N1 flu. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. A Phase 6 alert level means that a global pandemic is underway and that there are now ongoing community level outbreaks in multiple parts of world. The Phase 6 pandemic alert level is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus.
Basic Information about Novel H1N1 Flu
The novel H1N1 flu virus is unique, because it is a combination of genes from pig (swine), bird, and human flu viruses. People who are infected usually have flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have also reported diarrhea and vomiting.
Even though some severe illnesses and deaths from novel H1N1 flu have been reported, most cases have been similar to seasonal flu and have not resulted in severe illness. Most cases have occurred in children and younger adults.
Recommendations for Travel to Areas Reporting Novel H1N1 Flu
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that travelers at high risk for complications from any form of flu discuss their travel plans with their doctor. Together, they should look carefully at the H1N1 flu situation in their destination and the available health-care options in the area. They should discuss their specific health situations and possible increased risk of traveling to the area affected by novel H1N1 flu. Healthy people may make travel plans as they normally would and take common sense precautions to protect their health during travel.
Travelers at high risk for complications include:
- Children less than 5 years of age
- Persons aged 65 years or older
- Children and adolescents (less than 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection
- Pregnant women
- Adults and children who have chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders
- Adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV)
Before Your Trip
If you are planning travel to an area where cases of novel H1N1 flu are being reported, the following recommendations will help you reduce your risk of infection and stay healthy.
Prepare for your trip
- Stay informed. Check updates from the CDC and World Health Organization (WHO)
- Be sure you are up-to-date with all your routine vaccinations, including seasonal influenza vaccine, when available.
- Find out about the other health risks and travel recommendations for your destination. Contact Student Health for more information (336-758-5218 – menu option 3, or http://www.wfu.edu/shs/travelclinic.html)
- Pack a travel health kit that contains basic first aid and medical supplies.
- Identify the health-care resources in the area(s) you will be visiting.
- Verify that your health insurance plan will cover medical care during your trip; many insurance companies do NOT cover these costs.
- Consider purchasing additional insurance that covers medical care costs during international travel and medical evacuation.
- The University has a contract with International SOS: http://www.internationalsos.com. Review the services provided and adjust your coverage depending upon your needs.
- Study abroad students are also required to purchase iNext travel insurance: www.inext.com. Review the services provided and adjust your coverage depending upon your needs.
Check your own health
- Do not travel if you are sick.
- If you have flu-like symptoms, you should stay home and avoid travel for 7 days after you get sick or for at least 24 hours after you stop having symptoms, whichever is longer. This is to keep others from getting the virus.
- Symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also have diarrhea and vomiting.
During Your Trip -- Follow local guidelines
- Pay attention to announcements from the local government and monitor the local health and security situation.
- Follow any movement restrictions and prevention recommendations.
- Be aware that some countries are checking the health of arriving and/or exiting passengers and screening them for illness due to novel H1N1 flu to prevent others from getting sick.
Practice healthy habits to help stop the spread of novel H1N1 flu
- Wash your hands often with soap and running water, especially after coughing or sneezing.
- Use alcohol-based hand gels (containing at least 60% alcohol) when soap is not available and hands are not visibly dirty.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and put your used tissue in the trash. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
What to do if you feel sick
- Avoid Contact With Others
- It is expected that most people will recover without needing medical care.
- If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, seek medical care.
- A U.S. consular officer can help you find local medical care in a foreign country. To contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country you are visiting, call Overseas Citizens Services at:
- 1-888-407-4747 if calling from the U.S. or Canada,
- 00-1-202-501-4444 if calling from other countries, or
- Visit Websites of U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Mission (http://www.usembassy.gov/) to find the contact information for the local U.S. Embassy of the country you are visiting.
- If you are sick, you may be ill for a week or longer. Unless necessary for medical care, you should stay home and minimize contact with others, including avoiding travel and not going to work or school until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours.
- If you leave the house to seek medical care, wear a facemask, if available and tolerable.
- In general, you should avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness, especially people at increased risk of severe illness from influenza.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Wash your hands often with soap and running water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand gels are also effective.
- Follow all local health recommendations. For example, if you are sick, you may be asked to put on a surgical mask to protect others or to stay in your lodging to prevent the spread of novel H1N1 flu.
Sources of information:
CDC’s Website on influenza and travel:
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/content/outbreak-notice/novel-h1n1-flu-global-situation.aspx
World Health Organization Website on influenza and travel:
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/frequently_asked_questions/travel/en/index.htm |