Saturday, April 25, 2009

Travel Health Precaution

Swine Influenza and Severe Cases of Respiratory Illness in Mexico
This information is current as of today, April 25, 2009 at 17:03

Updated: April 25, 2009

Current Situation

According to the World Health Organization, the Government of Mexico has reported three separate events of influenza-like-illness. In the Federal District of Mexico, surveillance began picking up cases of influenza-like-illnesses starting on March 18th, 2009. The number of cases has risen steadily through April and as of April 23rd, there were more than 854 cases of pneumonia from the capital. Of those, 59 have died. In San Luis Potosi, located in central Mexico, 24 cases of influenza-like-illness, with three deaths, have been reported. And from Mexicali, near the border with the United States, four cases of influenza-like-illness, with no deaths, have been reported.

The majority of these cases have occurred in otherwise healthy young adults. Seasonal influenza normally affects the very young and the very old, but these age groups have not been heavily affected in Mexico based on the information above.

CDC has confirmed that seven of 14 respiratory specimens sent to the CDC by the Mexican National Influenza Center are positive for swine influenza virus and are similar to the swine influenza viruses recently identified in the US among residents of California and Texas.

CDC and state public and animal health authorities are currently investigating 8 cases of swine flu in humans in California and Texas that may be related to cases in Mexico. At this time there have been no severe illnesses or fatalities seen in the United States.

To date, there have been no reported cases of influenza-like-illness in the resort areas along the coast of Mexico.

This investigation is still in the early stages. Further updates to this investigation and any related travel recommendations will be posted on www.cdc.gov/travel when available.

CDC Recommendations

CDC has NOT recommended that people avoid travel to Mexico at this time. If you are planning travel to Mexico, follow these recommendations to reduce your risk of infection and help you stay healthy.

Monitor the International Situation

Check updates from the:

Prepare for your trip before you leave

  • Visit CDC's Travelers’ Health Website to learn about any disease risks and CDC health recommendations for areas you plan to visit.
  • See a travel medicine specialist or a doctor familiar with travel medicine at least 4–6 weeks before you leave to answer your questions and make specific recommendations for you.
  • Antiviral Medications: People at higher risk for complications from seasonal influenza—such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease)— may want to ask their doctor for prescription antiviral medications to take on their trip. The seasonal influenza vaccine is not expected to protect against infection with swine flu viruses. CDC recommends two prescription influenza antiviral drugs to treat and/or prevent swine flu. The drugs are oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu®) or zanamivir (brand name Relenza®). Both are prescription drugs that fight against swine flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. These drugs can prevent infection if taken as a preventative. If you get sick, they can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious health problems from developing. For treatment, the drugs work best if started within 2 days of getting sick. Talk to your doctor about correct indications for treatment or prevention. Always seek medical care if you are severely ill.
  • Be sure you are up-to-date with all your routine vaccinations, including seasonal influenza vaccine if available.
  • Pack a travel health kit that contains basic first aid and medical supplies. See Pack Smart in Your Survival Guide to Safe and Healthy Travel for a list of what to include in your travel health kit.
  • Identify the health-care resources in the area(s) you will be visiting.
  • Check if your health insurance plan will cover you abroad. Consider purchasing additional insurance that covers medical evacuation in case you become sick. For more information, see Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad from the U.S. Department of State.
  • Remember that U.S. embassies, consulates and military facilities do not have the legal authority, capability, and resources to give medications, vaccines or medical care to private U.S. citizens overseas.

During your visit to an area affected by swine flu

Monitor the local situation
  • 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 germs
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. 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. For example, you may be asked to put on a surgical mask to protect others.
Seek medical care if you feel sick
  • If you become sick with a fever plus a cough and sore throat or have trouble breathing, seek medical care right away. Tell the doctor if you have had contact with a sick person or farm animals while traveling.
  • If you need to find local medical care while in Mexico, a U.S. consular officer can help you locate medical services and will inform your family or friends in the United States of your illness. To contact the U.S. Embassy or consulate in Mexico, call the Overseas Citizens Services at:
    • 1-888-407-4747 if calling from the U.S. or Canada
    • 00 1 202-501-4444 if calling from overseas
    • US Embassy in Mexico

After you return from Mexico

  • Pay close attention to your health for 7 days.
  • If you become sick with a fever plus a cough, sore throat or have trouble breathing during this 10-day period, see a doctor. When you make the appointment, tell the doctor―
    1. your symptoms,
    2. where you traveled, and
    3. if you have had close contact with a sick person or farm animals. This way, he or she can be aware that you have traveled to an area reporting swine Influenza.
    • 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.

Additional Information

If you have specific questions about the swine influenza cases see http://www.cdc.gov/contact/ or call 1-800-232-4636, which is 1-800-CDC-INFO.

To learn more about travel health, visit www.cdc.gov/travel.

For the swine Influenza situation in Mexico, visit:

Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)