1st May 2009
Is it safe to travel?
WHO is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza A(H1N1) virus. Today, international travel moves rapidly, with large numbers of individuals visiting various parts the world. Limiting travel and imposing travel restrictions would have very little effect on stopping the virus from spreading, but would be highly disruptive to the global community.
Influenza A(H1N1) has already been confirmed in many parts of the world. The focus now is on minimizing the impact of the virus through the rapid identification of cases and providing patients with appropriate medical care, rather than on stopping its spread internationally. Furthermore, although identifying the signs and symptoms of influenza in travellers can be an effective monitoring technique, it is not effective in reducing the spread of influenza as the virus can be transmitted from person to person before the onset of symptoms. Scientific research based on mathematical modelling indicates that restricting travel will be of limited or no benefit in stopping the spread of disease.
Historical records of previous influenza pandemics, as well as experience with SARS, have validated this point.
Travellers can protect themselves and others by following simple recommendations related to travel aimed at preventing the spread of infection. Individuals who are ill should delay travel plans and returning travellers who fall ill should seek appropriate medical care. These recommendations are prudent measures which can limit the spread of many communicable diseases and not only Influenza A(H1N1).
Tags: Influenza, Influenza A(H1N1), Mountain Spirit, Peru, SARS, Scientific research, Travel, World Health Organization Travel Advice
Mountain Spirit's Blog 
23/05/2009 at 12:11 |
Our family booked trip to USA and Canada in July 2009.We cannot change the airtickets since it were bought on special.Even though WHO recommend to continue to travel,can WHO have the authority to impose all airlines should have special arrangement to allow passengers like us to defer travelling to USA and Canada ,etc,without penalising in these unpredictable and unusual circumstances.
24/05/2009 at 21:05 |
From my understanding, in this case, WHO is putting out travel recommendations rather than imposing policies. This recommendations are what airlines and travel and tour agencies will use to determine their refund policies on flight and trip cancellations. R. Richards