Holiday travel and the Swine Flu

November 9, 10:21 PMMesa Sightseeing ExaminerLisa Villont

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Sanitizing Hand Gel should be used when warm, soapy water is not available.
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The Holidays are upon us and you may be asking yourself whether its safe to travel or not.  The answer?

Its complicated.

According to the CDC, 48 states currently report wide-spread infection rates.  The 48 states reporting continued wide-spread illness are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. This many reports of widespread activity at this time of year are unprecedented during seasonal flu.

International travelers must also take precautions, as the 2009 H1N1 virus is the most widely reported flu-like virus world-wide.  When planning international trips, take into consideration the following facts: 

• Countries in temperate areas of the Southern Hemisphere (think Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea) are nearing the end of flu season and are now seeing reports of 2009 H1N1 returning to below baseline.  
• Reports of 2009 H1N1 in countries in tropical regions of the Americas and Asia (Caribbean Islands, Mexico, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.) remain variable.
• Temperate regions of North America, Europe and Asia (Canada, United States, European Union, etc.) will continue to see climbing rates of 2009 H1N1 infection.

None of this, however, means that travel plans must be put on hold, unless of course you yourself are infected, or you belong to a high-risk group, such as the elderly, children under the age of 5, pregnant women, or persons with compromised immune systems.  Presuming that you and your traveling companions are currently healthy, the following precautions may be taken in order to complete your travels in the same health you began with.

First, practice good hygiene.  Wash hands thoroughly and frequently, using warm running water and hand soap.  If no soap is available, use an alcohol based sanitizing gel and follow directions on packaging in order for the gel to be an effective agent against the virus.  Secondly, be sure to cough into a tissue, or your sleeve, not your hand.  Dispose of tissues in a sanitary manner, and wash hands immediately.  Do not re-use tissues, or share handkerchiefs.  Gloves and face-masks are not currently being recommended by the CDC except where a person is interacting directly with an infected person.  Still, if it makes you feel better, carry a mask with you in your carry-on travel bag if flying, or in an easily accessible bag if traveling by some other means.  Thirdly, know the symptoms!  The 2009 H1N1 is accompanied by fever *,cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatique, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting. (*not all persons infected with 2009 H1N1 will experience fever). Lastly, consider getting the 2009 H1N1 Vaccine.  According to the CDC, the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine is working effectively against infection worldwide.

If you find yourself or your travel companions experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, remain home or in your hotel room or other accomodations, except for necessary medical care, for at least 24hrs past the time your fever remained normal without the use of fever reducing medications.

Although the 2009 H1N1 flu is spreading rampantly across parts of the nation and the world, most infected persons are experiencing mild symptoms and are not requiring medical attention, allowing healthy people to travel at will.  By practicing good hygiene, and taking proper precautions, a holiday trip can be enjoyed by anyone in good health.

For more information on the 2009 H1N1 flu, see:

 Health and Science

Updated Questions and Answers

2009 H1N1 Flu Screening for International Travelers

The Common Cold, Seasonal Influenza, and 2009 H1N1

Other Considerations

For information on Seasonal Influenza and 2009 H1N1 in Mesa, AZ , see:

Mesa Public Schools

City of Mesa

For more information on traveling in and out of Mesa, AZ see:

Phx Mesa Gateway makes travel easier

"Grand" flights

PhxMesaGateway official website

Sky Harbor

Sky Harbor official website