Swine flu: 7 things travelers should know
1. Get informed. What is swine flu and what are the symptoms? Here is the basic information that you need to know including symptoms and prevention. Want more info? Read the CDC page “Swine Influenza and You.” According to the CDC, as of today (April 27), there are 40 reported cases of swine flu infection in the United States, including seven cases in California.
2. Airline information for travel to Mexico.
American Airlines is offering passengers to Mexico the option of changing their dates of travel or receiving a refund for unused tickets to Mexico if the ticket was issued no later than April 24 for travel April 25 to May 6, 2009. Reservations (U.S. and Canada): (800) 433-7300 /AAdvantage Reservations (U.S. and Canada): (800) 882-8880. Here is the American Airlines Mexico Travel Policy.
Continental is offering passengers the option to reschedule or reroute your travel once, without penalty, if you are ticketed to/from a list of Mexican cities (available on their important notices page). See the page for restrictions and or call Continental Airlines reservations at (800) 525-0280.
U.S. Airways will waive the standard change fee, advance reservation and ticketing requirements for customers with travel to, from or through Mexico City etween April 24 and 30, 2009, and a list of Mexican cities for travel between April 27 and 30, 2009. See the U.S. Airways Travel Advisory page for rules and restrictions or call (800) 428-4322 for more information.
Delta Air Lines Passengers traveling to Mexico between April 26 and May 4 can rebook for travel by May 12. If you reissue your ticket before May 12 the change fee will be waived. If you cancel, you have one year from the date of issue to use it toward your choice of another ticket. Here is the number for international reservations (800) 241-4141. Ask to speak to a representative to get this information.
3. Will there be a warning issued against travel to the the United States?
The Associated Press reports that “The top EU health official urged Europeans on Monday to postpone nonessential travel to the United States and Mexico because of the swine flu virus, and Spanish health officials confirmed the first case outside North America.” Read: “Swine Flu Raises Travel Concerns in Europe.”
4. Traveling to Mexico. The CDC Traveler’s Health urges travelers from the U.S. to Mexico who are at high risk of severe illness from influenza (people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, or the elderly) to take antiviral medications for prevention of swine influenza during travel. Read their travel health precautions page for more information about antiviral chemoprophylaxis and when it is recommended.
5. Swine flu procedures and cases in other countries.
In England, the Telegraph reports that all passengers entering Britain from Mexico are being screened. Meanwhile, the website for London Heathrow airport suggests that passengers coming from an affected area (Mexico and certain areas of the United States) monitor their health for seven days, stay home if they have any flu-like symptom and contact their doctor or the NHS Direct (0845 4647). Here is the FCO Travel Advice page for Mexico. “The Mexican Secretariat of Health has advised people to avoid large crowds, shaking hands, kissing people as a greeting, or using the subway. Maintaining a distance of at least six feet from other persons and frequent hand washing may decrease the risk of exposure.”
In New Zealand, 10 students who traveled to Mexico on a school trip are likely to have swine flu. A news station in New Zealand reports, “A number of Air New Zealand crew now have symptoms, and health officials have tracked down two-thirds of the passengers on Saturday’s NZ1 flight, which carried the students from Auckland’s Rangitoto College who first showed symptoms.” [3 News]
The first swine flu case in Europe was confirmed in Spain. Spain’s Minister of Health, Trinidad Jiménez García-Herrera, told a press conference that the patient is responding well to treatment and not in serious condition.
Australia is inspecting five potential cases of swine flu. “From midnight last night, the captains of all flights from the Americas are obliged to report before they land in Australia whether anyone on board has flu-like symptoms.” [The Australian]
Six cases of swine flu were confirmed in Canada. In all cases, they were travelers coming from Mexico. “Four cases were confirmed the eastern coast in Nova Scotia and two others in British Columbia, according to local authorities and Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq.” [AFP]
The Associated Press reported that “Russia, Hong Kong and Taiwan said visitors returning from flu-affected areas with fevers would be quarantined.”
6. Cruise information.
Carnival Cruises issued a statement saying, “Fortunately, there currently is no evidence of a swine flu pandemic and there have been no reports of guests exhibiting symptoms of swine flu on Carnival’s ships. Carnival enforces the highest of standards for cleaning and sanitation on all of our ships to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We are monitoring the situation in Mexico and maintain regular contact with the Centers for Disease Control. We do not anticipate that our guests’ cruise experience will be impacted by this type of illness and will not be making any adjustments to our itineraries.”
Carnival has two ships that sail from the Port of Los Angeles. This week, the Carnival Paradise will be visiting Catalina and Ensenada. The cruise is departing from the Port of Los Angeles (Long Beach) today and will return Friday.
The Carnival Splendor left the Port of Los Angeles (Long Beach) Sunday on a seven-day voyage and visits Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.
At this time, the Carnival Cruises standard refund policy applies.
For more information on swine flu cruise info, read the USA Today Cruise log: “Cruise Lines: No Plans to Cancel Calls in Mexico Due to Swine Flu.”
7. Resources.
> Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travelers’ Health page and the CDC swine influenza page
> U.S. Department of State Pandemic Flu Fact Sheet
> Swine Flu Health Map - with links to recent swine flu news sources
– Jen Leo, Los Angeles Times Travel & Deal blogger
[Photo: Wong Mae-E / Associated Press]
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May 2nd, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Travel health expert Dr. Mark Gendreau addresses questions about the current swine flu outbreak and air travel. Dr. Gendreau is senior staff physician and vice chair of emergency medicine at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Mass., and assistant professor of emergency medicine at the Tufts School of Medicine in Boston. His special interests include health issues associated with commercial air travel, including transmission of infectious diseases.
May 6th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
why they quickly banned travel to Mexico, and now that the virus is spreading so fast all over the United States, travel there is not banned?
September 9th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
It’s true, the airports at other countries very obviously display swine flu concern.. When I was in Amsterdam, there were posters all over the airport about H1N1..