The Flu Review
Posted on November 19, 2009
By John Gobbels, Medjet VP/COO
In a previous e-news I covered the H1N1 flu and since then have received questions every month from concerned members and travelers. While the media is packed with information relating to the flu (some of that good, some of that bad), I have continued to sift through the piles of information in hopes of finding a “1-stop shop” resource. Today, I found that resource.
Developed through the McGill University Health Center, the following interactive website has just about everything you need to combat the seasonal, as well as the H1N1, flu: H1N1 HEALTH WEB SITE.
Remember!
Let’s be smart and savvy travelers here: If you are sick with symptoms of influenza-like illness, you should not travel. These symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this new virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting which is a significant differentiating factor from the standard flu.
Since the H1N1 flu outbreak is occurring in the United States, flights from the United States arriving in other countries may be specifically targeted for screening. Travelers coming from the United States may be checked for fever and other symptoms of the H1N1 flu, and their travel may be delayed.
Consult the embassy of the country, or countries, in your travel itinerary for information about entry screening procedures: A listing can be found at: http://www.usembassy.gov
If you travel internationally from the United States, you may be asked to do the following:
• Pass through a scanning device that checks your temperature. (The device may look like an airport metal detector, a camera or a handheld device.)
• 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 novel 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 symptoms of novel H1N1 flu.
• Contact health authorities in the country you are visiting to let them know if you become ill.
If you have a fever, respiratory symptoms or are suspected to have novel 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 for novel H1N1 flu
Our members need to understand that the U.S. Department of State cannot interfere with the rights of other countries to screen airline passengers entering or exiting their countries, nor can it influence the number of days in quarantine.
Remember, as a Medjet member you have a team of experts standing by ready to help in the event of an illness or injury. Travel safe, travel smart and always carry your Medjet Card!
www.cdc.gov
http://www.pandemicflu.gov
www.state.gov
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