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H1N1 Influenza Outbreak

H1N1 is a subset of influenza A respiratory disease combining bird, pig and human viruses, which has mutated for human-to-human transmission. Symptoms include a fever of more than 100 F/37.8 C, body aches, coughing, sore throat, respiratory congestion and, in some cases, vomiting and diarrhea. The virus has spread virtually worldwide.

Members of Assist America are protected by our global emergency services during travel, including for H1N1 infection:

If you are quarantined for suspected or confirmed H1N1 infection, you can call upon Assist America’s resources for:
Medical Consultation & Referral, Medical Monitoring, Prescription Assistance, Hospital Admission Guarantee, Care of Minor Children, Emergency Messaging, Return of Mortal Remains, Legal & Interpreter Referrals and more.

When you have been cleared from quarantine, but still need medical assistance, you can make use of all of Assist America’s services, including: Emergency Medical Evacuation, Compassionate Visit, Medical Repatriation, Luggage/Document Assistance.

Information for Travelers

Monitor the local situation in the news and pay attention to announcements from the local government. 

Follow local public health guidelines, including any movement restrictions and prevention recommendations.

Practice healthy habits to help stop the spread of influenza: 

  • Avoid large crowds, and keep at least six feet (1.8m) from other people. Avoid kissing, sharing food or shaking hands with others.
  • Wash your hands often (every 2-3 hours) with soap and water, and dry them with a clean towel. This removes germs from your skin and helps prevent diseases from spreading.
  • Use waterless 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 a wastebasket.
  • If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
  • Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand gel.
  • Follow all local health recommendations, such as wearing a surgical mask to protect others. Opinions on efficacy vary, but a recent study in Australia showed that wearing a surgical face mask lowered the risk of contracting respiratory illness by 74 percent. Make sure you wear the mask correctly so that it is covering your mouth, nose and chin. Guidelines for using surgical face masks can be viewed at: http://www.ehow.com/how_4495597_wear-surgical-mask.html
  • Carry a thermometer and measure your temperature every 12 hours. Make sure to read and implement the thermometer’s instructions for a correct reading.

Seek medical care if you feel sick:

  • If you develop a fever plus a cough and sore throat or have trouble breathing, seek medical care right away.
  • Avoid further travel until you are free of symptoms, unless traveling locally for medical care.

After you return from your trip, pay close attention to your health for 7 days: 

The World Health Organization is not at this time recommending self-quarantine after travel. However, once you return from your trip, pay attention to your health for 7 days.

  • A fever from H1N1 can take as much as 72-84 hours to appear following exposure
  • If you become sick with a fever plus a cough, sore throat or have trouble breathing during this period, see a doctor.
  • Do not travel when you are sick, unless it is to get medical care. By limiting contact with others as much as possible, you can help prevent the spread of an infectious illness.

Helpful Facts

  • Almost all the world’s countries are enforcing quarantine of suspected H1N1 travelers at points of entry (not exit).
  • Anyone showing signs of fever at the airport will be denied entrance to the plane and/or destination and placed in quarantine. Nearly all airports are enforcing this precaution, and wearing a mask does not exempt febrile passengers from the rule.
  • Tickets of passengers quarantined for H1N1 purposes, will be honored for an alternate flight by most airlines if documentation of quarantine is produced.
  • If a person passes away due to complications of H1N1 while traveling, there is no restriction on return of mortal remains.

Always remember to carry your Assist America membership card when you travel.

Resources for the information presented include, but are not limited to, the following:

Los Angeles Times, CNN, BBC, CDC, WHO, AP Newswire, Reuters, National Medical Library, Times of India, Xinhua

The content of this document is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace further investigation, common sense, sound judgment and personal observations. If you are planning travel, or are traveling in or near to the locations identified in this newsletter, you are encouraged to contact Assist America for additional information.