Font ResizeUtahns may be concerned about the worldwide pandemic of H1N1 flu, but travelers don't appear to be canceling vacations because of it as the busy holiday season approaches.
"Almost everybody asks questions," said Carmine McDonald, a registered public nurse at the Salt Lake County Health Department's Travel Clinic.
She said travelers want to know whether vaccine is available, if she recommends getting it, and whether the country they're traveling to has been infected.
"The vaccine has been limited to certain groups," said McDonald. "If they are in a group listed by the CDC [Centers for Disease Control], we encourage them to get the vaccine. If not, there are ways to prevent the flu by washing their hands, distancing themselves from sick people, getting a seasonal flu shot and maintaining their health otherwise."
The nurse said every country that has surveyed for H1N1 has found it.
"That's why it's a pandemic," she said. "You could go anywhere in the world and be exposed."
She recommended checking the travel section on the CDC Web site (www.cdc.com), which has up-to-date information on this flu and other health issues in more than 200 countries. The U.S. State Department site, www.travel.state.gov, also is a good source of information for those planning to visit a foreign country.
The CDC recommends
Two Salt Lake area based travel agents said the flu outbreak hasn't kept their clients from traveling, even last spring when it first was found in Mexico.
"I have not had a client who has specifically changed plans or canceled because of swine flu," said Doug Anderson of Cruise and Travel Masters who specializes in group tours. "A lot of their attitude is that we are in cold and flu season anyway and it's standard year after year. I have not had one question. It could be that those who are worried are just quietly not traveling."
Lynda Rowley of Morris Murdock travel said she had a few clients cancel trips to Mexico last spring when the virus was discovered there. But her grandson traveled to Cancun at the time with no problem.
Nationally, said Bill Miller, senior vice president for CheapOAir.com, concern among travelers has lessened since last spring.
"We don't see people calling us and expressing lots of concern about swine flu," he said. "We might get some questions here and there but we're not getting mass cancellations."
Miller tells his clients to purchase travel insurance.
"If you go to a destination and get sick, you are protected and they will find you an English speaking doctor and pay for it," he said.
Travel Guard insurance said most plans provide trip cancellation coverage if the insurance was purchased before a client becomes ill. Most plans will provide medical coverage for clients who get sick on a trip. Some will reimburse for additional expenses incurred if the sick person is quarantined, up to maximum limits of the coverage.
But most plans will not offer coverage if a client is simply afraid to travel to a region with a flu outbreak. Nor do most plans provide trip cancellation coverage due to government warnings about flu or any other situation.
McDonald and Miller said air quality in modern airplanes is surprisingly good because of excellent recirculation and filtration systems. The big concern is sitting next to or near someone who is sick. Anyone within six rows can be a problem.
"Try to keep your distance from sick people," said McDonald. "It does a little good for a sick person to wear a mask but a mask doesn't offer any protection to prevent flu in a healthy person."
The U.S. Department of State usually cannot interfere with the rights of other countries to screen airline passengers entering or exiting their borders, nor can it influence the number of days a traveler is placed in quarantine. When you travel internationally from the United States, officials in other countries may ask you to:
» Pass by a scanning device that checks your temperature, sometimes before you disembark.
» Have your temperature taken with an oral or ear thermometer.
» Fill out a sheet of questions about your health.
» Review information about the symptoms of 2009 H1N1 flu.
» Give your address, phone number and other contact information.
» Be quarantined for a period of time if a passenger on your flight is found to have had symptoms of H1N1 flu.
» Contact health authorities in the country you are visiting to let them know if you become ill.
If you have a fever or respiratory symptoms or are suspected to have 2009 H1N1 flu based on screening, you may be asked to:
» Be isolated from other people until you are well.
» Have a medical examination.
» Take a rapid flu test which consists of a nasal swab sample.
» Be hospitalized and given medical treatment if you test positive.
Source » Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The 2009 H1N1 flu virus is a new, unique flu virus that had not been seen in humans until the spring of 2009. People who are infected usually have flu-like symptoms that include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may be infected with the flu and have respiratory symptoms without a fever. Even though some severe illnesses and deaths from 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.
To help prevent the spread of H1N1, wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub when your 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 touching your eyes, nose or mouth and avoid close contact with sick people.
Source » Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
