Quarantines* and other restrictions on international travel do little to limit the spread of disease, in this case, H1N1flu, when the disease already exists in most countries, says World Health Organization. Nevertheless, public health authorities in some countries, mostly in the Middle East and Asia, are monitoring arriving travelers for symptoms suggestive of H1N1 and are detaining and isolating passengers who appear to have the disease. Detention may last for one week. In the case of families, if one member shows symptoms, the entire family may be detained.
Here are some tips for family travel in the age of H1N1.
1. Stay home if any family member has flu-like illnesses. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, body aches, headache, chills, and, in children diarrhea and vomiting. Postpone your trip for seven days after becoming ill or 24 hours after symptoms disappear, whichever is longer. Being away from home complicates caring for sick family members. Children with chronic diseases are especially at risk for flu-related complications.
2. Immunize the entire family prior to travel – and also before children and adolescents go away to camp and school. H1N1 will most likely be the predominating flu virus this coming flu season and will spread widely geographically, infecting large percentages of the population. Carry an official letter showing you were vaccinated. Get immunized against the (regular) seasonal flu, also. (Immunize all family members even if you stay home.)
3. Check the latest information concerning H1/N1 for travelers. Recommendations change frequently. Most governments have websites for both their citizens traveling abroad and for arriving travelers. For travelers going on the annual Hajj to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, proof of seasonal flu vaccination – and of meningitis vaccination – is required and H1N1 immunization is strongly recommended.
4. Screening processes that you may encounter overseas may include:
· Temperature scanning by walking through metal detector-like machines or
with hand-held camera-like devices, or with oral or ear thermometers.
· Filling out questionnaires.
· Answering questions in an interview.
Currently, the United States is not screening travelers arriving from other countries.
5. If a family member tests positive at screening the following may occur:
· A medical examination.
· A rapid nasal swab for flu virus.
· Quarantine for a period of time.
· Quarantine may be imposed even if you merely sat near a passenger who
showed symptoms and generally restricts you to a hotel set aside for such
purposes.
· Hospitalization and medical treatment.
You have little say as to what is done. And your country’s consular officials have limited ability to intervene on your behalf. So far few travelers have been quarantined. And while detained travelers were greatly inconvenienced, none complained of poor treatment.
6. Carry travelers’ assistance insurance. Such insurance – available through major credit cards – generally covers travel interruption expenses and medical care overseas, including costs incurred by families when one member is detained or hospitalized. Payments are made at the time the event occurs. However, read the fine print. There may be exclusions for “epidemics” or “pandemics” and other situations.
7. Do not self-medicate against H1N1 disease. Carrying anti-flu medication (such as Tamiflu) and treating children who show symptoms is not recommended. Most “flu-like illnesses” that children experience are not flu and do not respond to anti-flu medications. And most children who do contract H1N1 do not need treatment. Using anti-flu medication unnecessarily may increase the risk that the medications will be less effective when needed.
Instead, familiarize yourself with the medical facilities at your destinations before leaving home. Carry the telephone numbers of your children’s health care providers. Call them first when your children become ill. Often they can advise you what to do.
8. Air travel appears to be no more risky than going to daycare or school, perhaps less so. Sophisticated cabin filters change the air frequently. Cabin crews have guidance on how to handle passenger who might fall ill during a flight. Some airlines claim they have removed pillows and blankets from their flights as a precautionary measure and others are providing pre-wrapped, sterilized pillows and blankets and offer antibacterial hand wipes and gels at airports and aboard aircraft. Currently, there are no special measures to refuse boarding to travelers showing signs of illness. Airlines have no firm policies to deal with rebooking or cancellation in the case of H1N1-related disruptions.
9. Cruise ships. Many cruise lines currently check boarding passengers for flu-like symptoms, generally by temperature scanning; some cruise lines have medical personnel on hand. Boarding is rarely denied. Passengers demonstrating symptoms during voyages may be confined to their cabins or to the sickbay and, rarely, disembarked at the next port.
In most situations, captains must report H1N1 outbreaks aboard ship to public health services ashore. Ships with flu outbreaks aboard have been barred from ports and ships have bypassed ports where much flu is present – occasionally leaving passengers at sea for many days. Monetary compensation for denied boarding, confinement, or missing anticipated ports of call vary.
10. Hotels and resorts do not monitor guests for flu. Most large establishments have response plans for handling ill guests and decontaminating guest rooms and public areas. Some hotels have installed hand sanitizer dispensers in public places and claim that guest room telephones, desktops and bathroom surfaces are cleansed with disinfectant solutions daily.
*The term “quarantine” originated in 14th century Venice and comes from the Italian quaranti giorni, ‘forty days’. This was the length of time that travelers were detained and isolated if they came aboard ships that originated in ports where the bubonic plague or other contagious diseases were raging. If no signs of disease emerged after forty days, passengers were allowed to enter the city.
