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Swine Flu Information June 11, 2009 The WHO has just upgraded the H1N1 Influenza to level 6 which signals a world-wide pandemic. One of the unique characteristics of the H1N1 is that the majority of the cases are in those who are 25 years old and younger, with the severest cases appearing in 30-50 year olds (see WHO Director general statement: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2009/h1n1_pandemic_phase6_20090611/en/index.html ). For this reason, we ask you to be particular vigilant with your health, and follow the guidelines for travelers as outlined by the CDC (see flyer about symptoms and prevention http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/pdf/airport_poster_for_print.pdf ). Those individuals who are travelling to the Southern Hemisphere (where it is now flu season)should also speak to a health care professional about getting a flu vaccine – it will not prevent the H1N1, but it could prevent you from getting other cases of the flu that would seriously disrupt your foreign experience. In addition, we remind you to prepare for thorough health screenings when traveling (please visit CDC: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/content/news-announcements/delays-H1N1-screening.aspx ). Remember, please DO NOT TRAVEL WITH SYMPTOMS OF THE H1N1 Flu! Please regularly visit the website of the US embassy in the country to which you are going (look for “Warden” Messages generally located on the right-hand side of their home page). Once you arrive to your foreign destination, you may be required to check in regularly with local/university health authorities. Certain countries, particularly those which were threatened by SARS in 2003 will be even more vigilant. Tsinghua University today cancelled the China Summer Service Learning Program because of the country’s concerns about the spread of H1N1 within their borders (there are currently 10 reported cases in China). If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your Education Abroad Program Coordinator, and be safe!
May 15, 2009 None of USF’s programs have been delayed or cancelled as of this writing. However, the U.S. currently has the highest number of laboratory confirmed cases of the H1N1, which will affect most travel for individuals from the US. The CDC currently has issued an update on the impact that this will have to travel: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/content/news-announcements/delays-H1N1-screening.aspx Participants are strongly encouraged to check the website of the US Embassy in the country to which you will be going. Please look for “Warden Messages” that will describe specific measures the host country is taking to prevent the spread of swine flu in their country. For the most part, we have heard that Japan, and China have had the most elaborate screening procedures. It is vitally important that you should not travel if you have symptoms of the H1N1 virus as identified by the CDC: FEVER Plus any of the following: Cough Other symptoms may include:
Body Aches If you have a fever plus any of the symptoms listed above, you are likely to be quarantined in a foreign country. In addition, those seated close to you, and perhaps others members of your group, could be placed in quarantine as a result of your illness. Please do not hesistate to contact us if you have any questions: 813-974-4314
Updated 4/30/2009 Dear Students, Faculty and Parents: As of April 30, 2009, the USF Education Abroad Office has not cancelled or delayed the departure of any of its study abroad programs. We are monitoring the situation closely and will post updates as needed. Please expect health screenings at the airports here and abroad. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of the flu (fever, coughing, sore throat, difficulty breathing, etc.) seek medical attention immediately, particularly if you have come in contact with someone with swine flu or severe respiratory illness. We strongly encourage participants to follow CDC and WHO precautionary directions to prevent the spread of disease prior to and during your program abroad. While abroad, the CDC advises participants to: Monitor the local situation
Practice healthy habits to help stop the spread of influenza
Seek medical care if you feel sick
Additional Information:
04/27/2009 As of this writing the Swine Flu epidemic is primarily in Mexico and the US. However, there appear to several affected individuals in France, Spain, Israel and New Zealand as well, and we are likely to hear more cases of it throughout the globe. This will affect students’ travel: at the borders (here and abroad), you are likely to encounter screening procedures to prevent carriers of the virus from entering (as of this writing Russia, Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Spain, Bolivia and New Zealand have some level of screening occurring). This could be instituted at the drop of a hat so you should be prepared for it. While we cannot tell you what screening constitutes in every country, it may include any of the following:
If for any reason you are running a fever the week of your departure or have other symptoms that are similar to those associated with Swine Flu (fever, cough, sore throat, aching body, headache, chills, fatigue, diarrhoea and vomiting), you should call the Education Abroad office immediately, and seek medical care immediately. Most importantly, please do not panic – there is a lot of media coverage about this now, and while the CDC and WHO are cautioning of a pandemic, there is as of this writing no world-wide pandemic. Probably the best and most accurate places to learn more about the flu is through the CDC: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluMexico.aspx; or from the World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/en/
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