Swine Flu Continues to Spread

A H1N1 now confirmed in Costa Rica; Guatemala awaits CDC confirmation of 3 cases

Baltimore, MD-5//01/09 - The Swine Flu continues to spread throughout the world with 14 countries reporting confirmed cases of type A H1N1 influenza. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced Thursday that 257 people had the virus. Mexico, the epicenter of the Swine Flu outbreak, has 156 confirmed cases. Costa Rica confirmed 1 case late Tuesday and Guatemala is awaiting confirmation of 3 cases from the CDC.

The WHO reported that Mexico has confirmed 9 deaths attributed to the H1N1 virus, however Mexican officials said the death toll had risen to 12 and they suspect that over 150 deaths have been caused by the virus. Currently, authorities are investigating these deaths.

According to Dr. Keiji Fukuda, assistant director-general of WHO, the higher totals do not necessarily mean that incidence of the disease is increasing. He explained that health investigators are going through their backlog of specimens.

“We are cautioning travelers to avoid unnecessary travel to areas with confirmed cases,” said Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health, the nation’s largest provider of travel medical services. “We have been at a phase 5 alert since Wednesday. This means there is sustained transmission among people in at least two countries.”

The WHO is coordinating the global response to human cases of influenza A (H1N1) and monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic she went on to say. “Anyone with flu-like symptoms should not be traveling anywhere.”

In addition to Mexico and the United States, the following countries have so far confirmed non-lethal cases:
Austria: 1
Canada: 34
China: 1
Costa Rica: 1
Denmark: 1
Germany: 3
Israel: 2
Netherlands: 1
New Zealand: 3
Spain: 13
Switzerland: 1
United Kingdom: 8

“There is no need to panic,” continued Lessans, “but individuals have to take some basic precautions to prevent getting infected and from spreading the disease.” Lessans offered some basic tips:

• Practice basic good hygiene.
• Wipe common surfaces such as door knobs and phones with chlorine-based products.
• Avoid travel to regions where Swine Flu has been detected.
• Avoid large crowds and leave crowds if you observe someone who is symptomatic.
• If you are symptomatic, stay at home away from large crowds and your workplace.
• Wear a surgical mask whilst in areas where the Swine Flu has been detected and when traveling on airplanes.
• When you cough or sneeze, if you do not have a tissue available, cough into your arm, not your hand. Use of hot soap and water and alcohol sanitizers are proven methods to avoid transmission of the virus.

Regarding businesses, Lessans said that in addition to a worksite immunization program for seasonal flu companies should have a pandemic preparedness plan. “If 80% of your work force has to stay home, you have to have a continuity plan in place so that disruptions in operations are minimized.”

For more information call your nearest Passport Health at 1.888.499.PASS(7277) or visit www.passporthealthusa.com

Jorge Eduardo Castillo
Jorge.castillo@passporthealthusa.com
410.727.0556