As we get into what is typically the high season for influenzas in the northern hemisphere, the Centers for Disease Control has set up a special H1N1 Flu website that is tracking the spread of H1N1 through the 2009-2010 winter season.

According to their site, during the week of September 27-October 3, 2009, influenza activity continued to increase in the United States. The CCD notes, "Flu activity is now widespread in 37 states. Nationwide, visits to doctors for influenza-like-illness increased over last week and are higher than expected for this time of year. In addition, flu-related hospitalizations and deaths are increasing as well, and are higher than expected."

Ongoing Traveler Alerts

Travelers should be aware that novel H1N1 flu cases have been reported in many countries around the world, with most of the cases being reported from the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Overall, the CDC notes that the numbers of new cases of novel H1N1 flu in Mexico and the United States appears to be declining. In the Southern Hemisphere, the normal flu season typically occurs sometime during April-September, and some countries in the Southern Hemisphere are reporting increasing numbers of cases of novel H1N1 flu.

As many family travelers know, the H1N1 outbreak last spring created havoc for airlines and cruise ships, which tried to cope with varying cross-border health regulations and quarantines imposed on passengers if any signs of the illness surfaced. Economic loss to the tourism industry and several tourist destinations, particularly in Mexico, has been in the billions of dollars.

To assist travelers who may be entering or departing from countries in which there has been an outbreak, or who may travel and be exposed to the illness, the CDC has created another specialized website for traveler, at this link. We suggest that families planning to travel between now and Easter consider purchasing a travel insurance policy to cover trip delays or cancellations due to illness or exposure; learn more about family insurance here.

Though it began nearly a year ago, flu shots on the fly have become an increasingly popular service offered at major airports across the United States. Organizations like the Chicago-based Flu-Ease have set up kiosks in airports for quickly admistered and relatively inexpensive flu shots. USA Today has compiled their own handy list of airports offering these kiosk shots.

Health Tips at Home & Abroad

In the United States, a new vaccine, in limited quantities, is being made available to certain groups. As of October 2009, the CDC is recommending the H1N1 vaccine to the following five initial target groups:

1.   Pregnant women

2.   Persons who live with or provide care for infants aged under 6 months

3.   Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel

4.   Children and young adults aged 6 months to 24 years

5.   Persons aged 25-64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications

According to Dr. Tunkel of the Monmouth Medical Center, as more vaccine is produced and its availability increases, it is likely to be made available first to healthy adults aged 25-64 years and then those 65 years and older. Dr. Tunkel recommends that everyone the regular seasonal influenza vaccine, though not all general practioners are in agreement on its efficacy.

The CDC recommends some precautions to stay healthy, at home and while traveling. Staying informed is the most important one, as the CDC website will be updated regularly as information becomes available. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people, which is why their common sense advice has such a big impact on limited the spread of the disease.

Take everyday actions to stay healthy. 
These precautions include common sense tips, such as covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and discarding the tissue. You can call 800-CDC-INFO for more information as well.
   ♥  Wash your hands often with soap and water, or alcohol-based hands cleaners, especially after you cough or sneeze. 
   ♥  Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way. 
   ♥  Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. 
   ♥  Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures. 
   ♥  Find healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety.   

A Brief History of the Novel H1N1 Pandemic

As everyone recalls, H1N1, known as "swine flu" (until the American agricultural industry lobbied the media to change its name), is a new type of influenza that spreads to humans through interaction with pigs and other farm animals.

During April and May, 2009, instances of the swine flu appeared in more than 20 countries, causing widespread panic and several thousand cases of infection. For most, symptoms of this strain of flu were similar to any type of cold illness and included fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, lethargy, headache, chills and fatigue.

On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that it was raising the pandemic threat level on the novel H1N1 virus. The WHO designation of a pandemic alert Phase 6 reflected the fact that there were ongoing community level outbreaks in multiple parts of world. The CDC added, "WHO’s decision to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6 is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus."

Family vacationers may recall however, that the U.S. Department of State briefly issued a Travel Warning alerting citizens not to travel to Mexico, the suspected source of the disease. On May 15, 2009, the State Department’s warning against travel to Mexico was rescinded. Since then, the Mexican government has been providing free medical insurance to visitors who may come down with symptoms of the H1N1 virus, to ensure their treatment and repatriation (if necessary) at no cost.

Families should note that the WHO's decision to upgrade the H1N1 outbreak to a pandemic, or widespread illness, does not carry any travel restrictions at all.