Transmission of Influenza on International Flights

May 2009
A. R. Foxwell, et al.
Air travel is one of the fastest ways to spread infectious diseases around the globe; the rapid spread of pandemic flu in 2009 was a prime example. Preventing the spread of infection among air passengers involves contacting those who sat near symptomatic passengers. However, the definition of "near" varies according to how infectious the virus is and how much the passengers and crew move around. It also depends on the length of the flight and how good the air circulation is. A study of flights to Australia found that for flu, the risk zone is smaller than previously thought. On long flights, risk was higher for those sitting in a smaller square zone around a symptomatic passenger (2 seats to either side and 2 seats in front and behind) than in the larger linear zone previously used (2 rows on either side). Narrowing the zone, and thus the number of potentially exposed passengers, may speed the contact process so exposed passengers can get preventive health care sooner.

Contact:
Paul M. Kelly
Australian National University, National Centre for Epidemiology & Population Health, College of Medicine, Biology & Environment,
Eggleston Rd, Acton, Canberra Australian Capital Territory 0200, Australia;
+61 61255609
Paul.Kelly@anu.edu.au

http://www.cdc.gov/media/eid/2011/07.html?source=govdelivery

Flu shots: fewer, sooner, stronger

See the FOX 13 and Dr. Jo Story.

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Small investments pay big dividends in protecting workers’ health

Although the flu season is months away, health care professionals already are preparing vaccinations against three strains of flu that could infect workers and leave businesses in a lurch.....

....But it’s certain that flu and other contagious diseases will emerge, and employers should prepare now to keep the workplace productive, said Pandis and Dr. John Sinnott...


Read more: Small investments pay big dividends in protecting workers’ health - Tampa Bay Business Journal:

National Influenza Week, 11 - 15 January 2010.

President declares National Influenza week.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim the week of January 10-16, 2010, as National Influenza Vaccination Week....

Read more.

Eastern Europe, Southern Asia are FLU hot spots

Central and Eastern Europe are currently the hottest spots for pandemic flu activity, but activity is also intense in northern India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its weekly H1N1 update today. Flu activity seems to be waning in most of the rest of the Northern Hemisphere, but limited data indicate "high-intensity transmission" in Algeria, Tunisia, and Egypt. More than 208 countries and territories have reported confirmed H1N1 cases, with 12,220 deaths.

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Passport Health's FLU Information Page

See our information and resources and get up to date information on the seasonal and H1N1 FLU.

See our FLU page here:

Views of H1N1 epedemic, New Poll

A new poll shows that a growing number of Americans are concerned about H1N1 (or swine) flu.

http://www.the33tv.com/news/20091103_health_poll_gx,0,7013363.graphic

FLU Information for Travelers

•Know when you should avoid travel. If you are sick with symptoms of influenza-like illness, you should not travel.


•Be prepared for health screenings at airports. Airport staff in some countries may check the health of arriving passengers.


•You can prepare for travel by educating yourself about the outbreak situation and screening procedures in your destination country or countries.


•Know what to do during and after your trip. During your trip, follow local guidelines and practice healthy habits.

For more detail see: http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/travelers/index.html

Obama declares flu emergency

Obama declares flu emergency to ease restrictions for hospitals
Officials prepare for a surge in H1N1 cases

By Michael D. Shear and Rob Stein
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Article from the Washington Post

President Obama has declared H1N1 swine flu a national emergency, clearing the way for his health chief to give hospitals wider leeway in how they handle a possible surge of new patients, administration officials said Saturday.

The president granted Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius the power to lift some federal regulations for medical providers, including allowing hospitals to set up off-site facilities to increase the number of available beds and protect patients who are not infected.

Obama said in the declaration that the "rapid increase in illness . . . may overburden health-care resources." White House officials played down the dramatic language, saying the president's action did not stem from a new assessment of the dangers the flu poses to the public....

Complete article available at the Wshington Post.