Current Situation

CDC is investigating an ongoing outbreak of cases of H1N1 flu (swine flu) in the United States. Click here to see today’s case count. In addition, as of April 29, 2009, WHO has reported cases in eight additional countries.
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 has been one death in the United States. However, CDC and state public and animal health authorities are still in the early stages of the investigations.

Further travel recommendations related to the US outbreak will be posted on www.cdc.gov/travel as available.  

CDC Recommendations
 

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:

• Home pages of the affected state health departments
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Pan American Health Organization
• World Health Organization

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 influenza

• 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 are ill with fever and other symptoms of swine flu like cough and sore throat,
  see a doctor, especially if you think you may have had contact with someone with  
  H1N1 flu (swine flu) or severe respiratory illness in the 7 days before becoming ill.
• Antiviral Medications: Antiviral medications for the prevention of H1N1 flu (swine flu) should be considered for persons traveling within the United States who are at high risk of severe illness from influenza.  This would include persons with certain chronic medical conditions, persons aged 65 or older, children aged younger than 5 years old and pregnant women. The recommended antiviral drugs for H1N1 flu (swine flu) are oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu®) and 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. Talk to your doctor about correct indications for using influenza antiviral medications. Always seek medical care if you are severely ill.
• Avoid further travel until you are free of symptoms, unless traveling locally for medical
  care.

For more information on CDC’s recommendations for antiviral use during the H1N1 flu (swine flu) outbreak, please visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu.
 

After your trip

• Closely monitor your health for 7 days
• If you become ill with fever and other symptoms of H1N1 flu (swine flu) like cough, sore throat, and possibly vomiting and diarrhea, call your doctor or clinic for an appointment right away. Your doctor may test you for influenza and decide whether influenza antiviral treatment is needed.
• When you make the appointment, tell the doctor the following:
  • Your symptoms,
  • When and where you traveled, and
  • If you have had close contact with a person infected with H1N1 flu (swine flu).
• Avoid leaving your home while sick except to get local medical care, or as instructed by your doctor. Do not go to work or school while ill. If you must leave your home (for example, to seek medical care) wear a surgical mask to keep from spreading your illness to others.
• Always cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away used tissues in a trash can.
• Wash your hands with soap and water often and especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand gel containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid close contact with other people as much as possible.
• Wear a surgical mask if you are in contact with other people.

Additional Information

If you have specific questions about H1N1 flu cases see http://www.cdc.gov/contact/  or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)

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

For the H1N1 flu situation in the United States, visit  www.cdc.gov/swineflu

For the H1N1 flu situation in Mexico, visit:

• Secretaria de Salud: Secretary of Health, Mexico [Web page in Spanish]
• World Health Organization: Influenza-Like Illness in the United States and Mexico
• Pan American Health Organization