May 11, 2009. CDC Updates Swine Influenza Situation in the US
| SOURCE: | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
CDC is investigating an ongoing outbreak of cases of novel H1N1 flu in the United States; see today's case count. In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported novel H1N1 flu cases in a number of countries. For the latest information on the global situation, see updates on the WHO Influenza A (H1N1) website.
This strain of influenza virus is unique, because it is a combination of genes from swine, bird, and human influenza viruses. Infected individuals report flu-like symptoms of fever, aches and pains, sore throats, coughing, and trouble breathing. Some people have also reported diarrhea and vomiting.
At this time there have been very few deaths in the United States. However, CDC and state public and animal health authorities are continuing investigations of novel H1N1 flu cases.
Further travel recommendations related to the U.S. outbreak will be posted on the CDC Travelers' Health website as available.
CDC Recommendations for Travel To and Within the United States CDC has NOT recommended that people avoid domestic travel. If you are planning travel to affected areas, the following recommendations will help you reduce your risk of infection and stay healthy.
Before your trip
Monitor the outbreak situation
Check updates from these sources:
State health department website home pages of the affected states
CDC H1N1 Flu website
Pan American Health Organization
World Health Organization Influenza A (H1N1) website
Prepare for your trip
Be sure you are up-to-date with all your routine vaccinations, including seasonal influenza vaccine if available.
Identify the health-care resources in the area(s) you will be visiting. During your trip
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 novel H1N1 flu
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, if you are sick, you may be asked to put on a surgical mask to protect others.
What to do if you feel sick
It is expected that most people will recover without needing medical care.
If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health-care provider or seek medical care. Your health-care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed. Avoid further travel for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
After your trip
Closely monitor your health for 7 days
If you become ill with fever and other symptoms of novel H1N1 flu such as a cough, sore throat, and possibly vomiting and diarrhea, see the information under in the section above titled "What to do if you get sick" and the What to Do If You Get Flu-Like Symptoms page on the CDC H1N1 Flu website.
Copyright © 2009, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention