20 July 2009

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza: Update 16: Potential health screening of international travellers

Since the outbreak of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza, some countries have put into place health screening of arriving passengers in an effort to decrease the spread of influenza [1]. Screening may consist of passing through a scanning device that checks your temperature, directly checking your temperature with an oral or ear thermometer, completing forms about your health, and providing details about your travel itinerary. If you are ill with a fever or influenza-like illness (ILI) (fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue), you may be isolated, have a medical examination, be tested for pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus, or be hospitalised and given treatment. If a travelling companion or someone on your flight is ill or found to have pandemic influenza, you may be quarantined for a period of time.

Advice for travellers

Travellers need to be aware that screening procedures may be in place. They can check the country pages of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for specific information. Travellers should obtain travel insurance that covers trip cancellation and any potential disruptions to their trip, such as quarantine.

Those who are ill with an ILI should delay their travel, stay at home and seek medical advice. Further advice on the prevention of pandemic influenza during travel can be found on the NaTHNaC Health Information Sheet: Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza: Advice for travellers.

The current pandemic alert level is at phase 6, indicating widespread global transmission. Consistent with this, the WHO do not recommend closure of borders, nor do they recommend international travel restrictions.

Further information is available at the following sources:

Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Swine flu outbreak: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/swine-flu

Health Protection Agency, Swine Influenza (influenza A H1N1v): http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAuto

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WHO, Pandemic (H1N1) 2009: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control: http://ecdc.europa.eu/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, H1N1 Flu (Swine flu): http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

NaTHNaC Country Information pages: http://www.nathnac.org/ds/map_world.aspx

NaTHNaC Outbreak Surveillance Database: http://www.nathnac.org/countrysearch.aspx

NHS Choices: http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx 

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Possible novel H1N1 flu screening for international travellers. 14 July 2009. [Accessed 20 July 2009]. Available at: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/content/news-announcements/delays-H1N1-screening.aspx