Just in Time for Travel Season, Specialty Travel Companies Cement Partnership

Passport Health, Travisa Alliance to Improve Total Care for International Travelers

BALTIMORE—05/18/2009– Extending its commitment to provide clients with a streamlined continuum of care, Passport Health (www.passporthealthusa.com), the nation’s largest provider of travel medical services and immunizations, today announced a partnership with the nation’s leading expediter of Passports and Visas: Travisa (www.travisa.com).

“We are thrilled to have Travisa as a partner,” announced Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health. “They share our values of superior customer service and reliability and provide a necessary service for our clients.” The partnership is a natural alliance that has developed over the years, she went on to say, “but now it’s official.”

Both companies had humble beginnings over 15 years ago. “We joke that we started our business from our closets; but, that is the truth,” said Jan Dvorak, Travisa’s founder and CEO. Both founders are entrepreneurs.

Passport Health provides a comprehensive suite of services tailored to the international traveler. Whether someone is traveling to India to close a business deal, or getting ready to complete adoption papers in China, Passport Health’s medical professionals counsel travelers on everything there is to know about potential diseases that could harm them. The recommendations are specific to each traveler. “You have to know where they are going, their planned activities, where they will stay, time of year, altitude and their health history. Only then can you recommend the immunizations and vaccinations that the client needs,” said Lessans.

“Travisa’s expertise and relationships with the embassies allows our clients to receive their visas and passports within a few days of ordering them. We have had clients that were leaving in less than 48 hours and Travisa has always come through.”

Travisa is the sole provider of the Indian Visa, making it a perfect fit for Passport Health’s clients whose number one destination is India. Travisa processes over 400,000 visa applications for the Indian Embassy. They have also secured a deal with the Russian consulates to process their visas.

“We provide information about Passport Health to all our clients. We care about their wellbeing and know that they will receive the best care and information from their Travel Medicine Specialists,” concluded Dvorak. Passport Health sees over 20,000 clients every month through 170 offices nationwide. With summer just weeks away and despite a recession, both companies anticipate a strong travel season.

Jorge Eduardo Castillo
Jorge.castillo@passporthealthusa.com
410.727.0556

Swine Flu now in 21 Countries

Baltimore, MD-5/04/09- WHO confirmed 984 type A H1N1 cases in 21 countries today. Much of the rise is attributed to the confirmation of suspected cases in Mexico which reached 590 this Monday.

There are 25 confirmed deaths in Mexico attributed to the Swine Flu. All schools across Mexico are closed until May 6. Over 1600 are suspected to be infected.

The US government declared a public health emergency to deal with the swine flu outbreak.

The United States has the second-highest number of confirmed cases, with 286 confirmed cases of swine flu in 36 States spanning the following states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin.

“Unfortunately we do not yet have a vaccine available for the Swine Flu,” said Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health, the nations largest provider of travel medical services and immunizations. “The CDC is still in the process of understanding the virus. After that, it will be up to the pharmaceutical companies to begin developing the vaccine.”

It is unclear whether this new strain of influenza will be included in the trivalent seasonal flu vaccine or if manufacturers will develop a separate vaccine altogether.

Swine influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A H1N1 influenza viruses. There is no evidence to show that swine influenza can be transmitted through food. “Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is perfectly safe,” said Lessans.

Jorge Eduardo Castillo
Jorge.castillo@passporthealthusa.com
410.727.0556

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