Travel More Enjoyably, with Health and Safety in Mind
Up-to-Date Information on H1N1
Most Recent Disease/Outbreak Information
**H1N1 or Swine Flu Update from CDC (August 28, 2009):
As of 1:00p, ET, 28 August 2009, the United States has officially reported 8,843 hospitalized cases of Novel H1N1 flu, including 556 deaths. Cases have been reported in each state within the United States, including the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
On 28 August 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) advised that some countries, particularly in the southern hemisphere have reached their peak influenza activity, while other countries continue to experience high levels of influenza activity. Read more on the WHO's latest situation update.
As of July 16, 2009 the World Health Organization has changed its reporting requirements for the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. "At this point, further spread of the pandemic, within affected countries and to new countries, is considered inevitable," World Health Organization's website. To read more from the World Health Organization , please visit the briefing note.
**To help you and your family stay healthy and avoid illness from Influenza A (H1N1), On Call International recommends following the tips provided in the links below. For the most current information, please visit the World Health Organization or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Basics about Influenza A (H1N1)
Preparedness and Prevention
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Treatment
Prepare for your Trip before you leave:
o Be sure you are up-to-date with all your routine vaccinations, including seasonal influenza vaccine if available.
o Check if your health insurance plan will cover you abroad. Consider purchasing additional medical assistance coverage that covers medical evacuation in case you become sick.
The CDC recommends that post secondary institutions of higher education review their institutions’ plans for responding to a public health emergency and make sure they are up to date. The school can help protect the health of their staff and their students by calling attention to the every day preventive actions that can be taken to prevent the spread of influenza. Please visit the CDC for more tips.
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Keeping up-to-date with routine vaccinations and visiting your doctor at least six weeks prior to your trip are highly recommended for safe travel. For information about recent disease outbreaks around the world, see these countries below:
Asia Brazil International
Australia India Trinidad and Tobago
Zimbabwe
More Travel Tips
Before you leave:
- Pack a first aid kit
- Complete a personal medical information form; pack one and leave another copy with a close friend or family member
- Purchase emergency medical and travel assistance services and pack your wallet card with your other important travel documents Free Quote
- Visit theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention to find out about vaccination requirements and/or recommendations for your destination.
- Research recent outbreaks of illnesses, infections, and diseases around the world to ensure you make the right pre-travel decisions
Recent Disease Outbreaks
Zimbabwe
Cholera in Zimbabwe (June 10, 2009): is a potentially fatal bacterial infection that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration. The disease is spread through untreated sewage and contaminated drinking water. From August 26, 2008, through June 8, 2009, 98,522 suspected cases and 4,282 deaths have been reported in the country. The worst-affected areas are the capital city of Harare (19,544 cases and 655 deaths), Mashonaland West (22,753 cases and 946 deaths) and Manicaland (13,649 cases and 661 deaths). Cases of cholera have been reported in all of Zimbabwe’s provinces. Cases have also been confirmed in the neighboring countries of Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zambia. Additional sources have reported cases in Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, and Togo.
Recommendation: There is no cholera vaccine available in the United States . Drink bottled and sealed beverages. Do not put ice in drinks. Eat only foods that have been thoroughly cooked and are still hot, or fruit that you have peeled yourself. Do not eat raw/undercooked fish or shellfish. Do not eat salads or other raw vegetables. Do not eat foods/drink beverages from street vendors.
Brazil
Yellow Fever in Brazil (June 3, 2009): is a viral disease that has caused large epidemics in Africa and the Americas. Yellow Fever is difficult to recognize, and a laboratory test must identify the virus. Symptoms can include fever, muscle pain, headache, shivers, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting. In some cases, the patient may develop jaundice and abdominal pain with vomiting. Bleeding can also occur from the mouth, nose, eyes, and/or stomach.
Recommendations: Although the yellow fever vaccine is not required, the CDC recommends that every traveler receive the yellow fever vaccine before traveling to Brazil, especially those travelers traveling to the following states: all areas of Acre, Amapa, Amazonas, Distrito Federal (including the capital city of Brasilia), Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Rondonia, Roraima, Tocantins, and designated areas of the following states: northwest and west Bahia, central and west Parana, southwest Piaui, northwest and west central Rio Grande do Sul, far west Santa Catarina, and north and south central Sao Paulo.
Asia
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in Asia (May 29, 2009): (also known as HFMD) is a very contagious disease mostly spread amongst children through contact with the body fluids of an infected person – such as droplets from coughs, sneezes, saliva, blister fluid, or stool. In China, 54,713 cases have been reported through the end of March. Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan have also reported cases of HFMD.
Recommendations: There is no vaccination to prevent HFMD. There is also no specific treatment for those people who are sick with the disease other than treating the symptoms, such as fever. Travelers can take steps to prevent getting HFMD by practicing good personal hygiene, including often washing hands in soap and warm water, and not sharing eating utensils.
International
Dengue Fever in Tropical and Subtropical Regions (May 27, 2009): the most common cause of fever in travelers returning from the Caribbean, Central America, and South Central Asia. This disease is spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Symptoms of dengue include: fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash, nausea/vomiting, hemorrhagic (bleeding manifestations). Those who feel these symptoms should seek care of from a healthcare provider. In 2009, Argentina has reported 25,000 dengue cases and 5 deaths; Bolivia has more than 59,900 suspected cases of dengue and 25 deaths; Brazil has more than 226,500 suspected cases of dengue and 87 deaths (Many in the state of Bahia); Mexico and Paraguay have also reported cases. Cases of dengue have also been increasing in the Pacific region. Cases have been reported in Australia, French Polynesia, and Malaysia.
Recommendations: There is no vaccination to prevent Dengue Fever, so travelers should do their best to protect themselves from mosquito bites. Where possible, stay indoors to avoid the possibility of being bitten by an infected mosquito. Look for a repellent that contains one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin (KBR 3023), Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus/PMD, or IR3535. Always follow the instructions on the label when you use the repellent. If sunscreen is required, apply the sunscreen and then the insect repellant.
Measles: International (March 5, 2009): is a common disease in many parts of the world, including Europe. Since the beginning of 2009, there have been reports of the Measles in Victoria and Queensland, Australia, an outbreak of measles in the Swiss cantons of Vaud and Lucerne, an outbreak of measles in Vietnam, including the city of Hanoi, and between December 1, 2008 and January 31, 2009, there were 9 cases in the USA. Six out of the nine were imported from the United Kingdom.
Recommendation: Travelers should be up-to-date on their measles vaccine.
Australia
Pertussis in Australia (April 17, 2009): (also known as “whooping cough”) is a vaccine-preventable, highly contagious respiratory illness that is caused by bacteria. Pertussis circulates worldwide; however, disease rates are higher in areas where vaccination coverage is low. The disease is most severe in unvaccinated infants. As of April 13, 2009, more than 7,000 cases have been reported across the country. New South Wales, which includes the city of Sydney , has seen the highest number of cases, with over 5,000 cases. On March 10, 2009, a 4-week-old infant from the North Coast ( New South Wales ) was reported to have died from pertussis. Queensland, which includes the cities of Brisbane and Cairns , has also seen significant activity, with over 1,200 reported cases. The state of Victoria, which includes Melbourne , has reported over 500 cases.
Recommendations: Be up-to-date on all routine vaccines, including pertussis. If you are traveling with a child, make sure he or she is up-to-date on all vaccines that are recommended for travel. Keep a copy of your vaccination records with you as you travel.
India
Meningococcal Disease in India (March 10, 2009): commonly referred to as meningitis is a serious, and sometimes fatal, bacterial infection that occurs worldwide. Since January 2009 local health officials in India have reported 230 deaths and 2,000 possible cases of meningitis in the northeaster states of Tripura, Meghalaya, and Mizoram.
Recommendation: Travelers to this part of India should get a meningococcal vaccine. The protection of this vaccine develops 7-10 days after receiving it, so travelers should be vaccinated at least 10 days before travel, if possible. Travelers leaving in less than 10 days should still receive vaccination before travel.
Trinidad and Tobago
Yellow fever in Trinidad and Tobago (February 17, 2009): On January 22, 2009, the Trinidad Ministry of Health confirmed that two monkeys had died of yellow fever virus infection. A number of other monkeys have been found dead, but no cause of death has been confirmed. Although no human cases of yellow fever have been reported since 1979, these monkey deaths suggest that yellow fever virus is circulating in the forested areas of Trinidad. People traveling outside Port of Spain, especially those who visit rural or forested areas of Trinidad, are at risk for infection with yellow fever virus, especially if they have not been vaccinated. Over 90% of the local population in Trinidad is vaccinated against yellow fever, thus human cases of yellow fever are rare despite the presence of disease risk.
Recommendations: Trinidad: Yellow fever vaccine is recommended for all travelers at least 9 months of age whose itinerary includes Trinidad. Port of Spain has lower risk of transmission than rural or forested areas. Cruise ship passengers who do not disembark from the ship or travelers visiting only the urban area of Port of Spain (including passengers in-transit only) may consider foregoing vaccination. Tobago: Vaccination is NOT recommended for those visiting only Tobago.
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