Swine flu: advice for travellers
Updated on 05 May 2009
What to do if you are worried about swine flu.
Can I still travel to Mexico and other affected areas?
The UK Foreign Office is now advising travellers against all but essential travel to Mexico.
Most cases of swine flu in Mexico have been reported in Mexico City, but the virus has also been confirmed in the states of Oaxaca, San Luis Potosi, Mexicali and Baja California.
The Mexican Secretariat of Health has advised people to avoid large crowds, shaking hands, kissing people as a greeting, or using the subway. The advice also suggests that maintaining a distance of at least six feet from other persons and frequent hand washing may decrease the risk of exposure.
Download the Department of Health's swine flu leaflet here (.pdf).
If you decide to remain in Mexico or are a British national who is resident there, you should take personal responsibility for your safety in the event of a future pandemic, including access to adequate healthcare and ensuring that your travel documents are up to date.
If you are travelling to other countries where cases of swine flu have been reported, the UK Foreign Office advises you to consult your usual healthcare practitioner before travelling and check the travel advice on their website for the relevant country.
For travellers to the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a full list of confirmed cases of swine flu and advice.
If you do develop the symptoms described below while abroad, you should consult a doctor immediately.
For more information and a list of the latest cases, click here.
Is my airline still flying to Mexico?
The UK's major tour operators have suspended flights to Mexico for the coming week.
Tour operators Thomson and First Choice, both part of TUI Travel PLC, have cancelled flights up to and including 8 May, and are putting on special flights to bring home customers in Mexico if they wish to return.
Customers due to travel before that date will be offered a refund, alternative destination or travel date up to the same value already booked. Customers travelling from 9 May to 22 May will also be entitled to change their distination or the date of travel.
The company has set up dedicated hotlines for customers:
- Customers due to travel up to and including May 8th: 0844 871 0701
- Customers due to travel between 9th May-22nd May inclusive: 0844 871 0702
- Customers due to travel from 23rd May: 0844 800 3131
- Customers who booked through a travel agent are advised to contact that agent.
Thomas Cook and Airtours have also cancelled all flights up to and including 12 May. Thos travelling to Cancun with Thomas Cook between 13 May and 22 May will be able to select a different destination.
Thomas Cook has also set up dedicated phone lines:
- Customers travelling up to and including 12 May 2009: 0870 010 1806
- Customers travelling between 13 and 22 May 2009: 0870 607 5086.
British Airways flights are continuing to operate to Mexico, but are advising customers to contact their local office for further advice.
Cruise companies Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises said they were suspending their port calls in Mexico.
How serious is the threat of swine flu?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised their pandemic alert to phase 5, which indicates that a pandemic is "imminent".
However, the WHO does not recommend restricting international travel, but says it is prudent for people who are ill to delay travel and for those who develop symptoms to seek medical advice.
What is a pandemic?
According to the Health Protection Agency, an influenza pandemic is defined as a new or novel influenza virus that spreads easily between humans.
A flu virus could develop into a pandemic but most people affected only show mild symptoms. In this case flu will have an economic effect but may not be deadly.
It is not yet know what form swine flu will take in the longer term.
- Tom Clark explains
- Swine flu q&a
I have just returned from Mexico or another affected area. What should I do?
In the first instance, just monitor your own health for seven days after your return. The Health Protection Agency advises that there is no need to isolate yourself during this time so long as you are not showing symptoms.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of swine influenza in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza infection and include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing and sore throat. Some people with swine flu have also reported vomiting and diarrhoea.
What should I do if I develop these symptoms?
If during the seven days after you return from an affected area you develop a feverish illness accompanied by one or more of cough, sore throat, headache and muscle aches, contact your GP by phone or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647. Make sure you tell them about your recent travel.
Depending on your symptoms, you may be advised that further investigation is necessary, in which case appropriate arrangements will be made. This may include admission to hospital.
However, in most cases you will be well enough to remain at home, but it is important to avoid contact with people as much as possible until you receive any test results, and other members of your household should also monitor their health.
What can I do to prevent infection or minimise the effects of symptoms?
If you do show flu-like symptoms, you should follow standard respiratory and hand hygiene, which can help to reduce the transmission of all viruses. This can include:
- avoiding contact with other people as much as possible.
- covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible. Dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
- maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people.
- cleaning hard surfaces (eg door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.
- making sure your children follow this advice.
Is treatment available for swine flu?
Testing has shown that the human swine influenza H1N1 is sensitive to can be treated with the antivirals oseltamavir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza).
Should I avoid eating pork?
The Health Protection Agency stresses that swine flu is not transmitted by food, and there is no risk of catching the illness from eating properly handled and cooked pork or pork products.
