To go or not to go: Swine Flu Hampers Travel Plans

Luggage: Check. Passport and other travel documents: Packed and ready! Airline Ticket: Good to go. Heard about the alarming news about swine flu? Probably (If you haven’t, which planet are you from?). It seems that vacation elsewhere might be hampered by the outbreak of the H1N1 virus, commonly known as the swine flu or Mexico flu, Influenza A (as Israel puts it) or whatever. 

The outbreak which is believed to have started in Mexico has pushed the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise the pandemic alert level to five. Over 3000 cases of suspected swine flu in humans were detected in Mexico and the southwestern United States.

With the current situation, travelers are faced with a dilemma: To travel or not to travel. Vacationers are wary over the thought of going on with their scheduled trip, fearing that they may catch the flu. It is also not a comforting thought that the vaccine against swine flu is still months away from being available to the public.

For now, U.S. travelers are advised to “avoid all non-essential travel to Mexico”, yet experts said that travel restrictions between countries will do little to curb the spread of swine flu. Currently, the WHO has issued no travel restrictions, "because we do not believe that will slow the transmission down," said Dr. Keiji Fukuda assistant director-general for health security and environment at the WHO.

Fukuda also added that "If you are feeling ill, you should consider delaying travel and staying at home. If you are traveling and you become sick during that travel, it is important to seek medical attention while there," he said.

Some are taking the outbreak on a different level. Say, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden. Biden said in NBC’s Today show that he'd tell family members to avoid traveling in "confined spaces." He said: "It's not just going to Mexico. If you're any place in a confined aircraft and one person sneezes, it goes all the way through the aircraft," Mr. Biden’s statement sent federal officials into damage-control mode. Actually, the air onboard a commercial plane is cleaner compared to most public buildings—so, no need to worry about flying. Unless if you feel ill.

Here are some FAQs about swine flu from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Is it contagious?
Yes, the new, never-before-seen strain, like most flu strains, is highly contagious. City authorities note the unusually rapid onset of symptoms in students at a high school in Queens but don't yet know if this virus matches molecule for molecule with the one in Mexico.

What are the symptoms? Similar to symptoms of regular human flu, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

How dangerous is it?
Authorities are still trying to determine that.

Why are people wearing masks in Mexico City?

As a standard public health hygiene precaution. Flu generally is easily transmitted person to person by coughing, sneezing or even cigarette smoke exhalation.

What treatment is available?
No vaccine is available because this is a mosaic virus for which a new vaccine must be created. The new strain is susceptible to the flu anti-viral drugs, Tamiflu and Relenza, of which there are large supplies in the United States in the event of a pandemic.

What precautions can you take?
Sick people should try to stay home. People with symptoms should contact their doctors, who can decide if flu testing is needed.

Everyday precautions include: Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

FLU HOTLINE: The state Department of Health has a hotline for questions about swine flu: 800-808 1987

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