Treyfish
Moderator
This Bulletin is current for Sunday, 03 May 2009.
The Bulletin was issued on Saturday, 02 May 2009, 09:19:06, EST.
This Travel Bulletin should be read in conjunction with the Travel Advisory for your destination.
On 28 April 2009, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade reissued the travel advisory for Mexico to advise Australians to reconsider their need to travel to Mexico due outbreaks of swine influenza. Australians who do not have essential business in Mexico should consider leaving. Australians intending to remain in Mexico should ensure that they have access to adequate supplies of food, water and other essentials.
On 24 April 2009 the World Health Organization (WHO) advised Australia of cases of outbreaks of a new strain of swine influenza in Mexico and the United States. Cases have since been confirmed in Canada, New Zealand, Israel, Spain, the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Hong Kong and Switzerland. Outbreaks may occur in other countries. The WHO is providing regular updates on the location and number of confirmed cases on its website.
On 29 April 2009, the WHO raised the level of the influenza outbreak from phase 4 to phase 5 (of 6). The change to a higher phase of pandemic alert means that there is human-to-human spread in two countries in one WHO region. More information is available on the WHO website.
Governments in affected countries are taking appropriate measures and are being supported by the WHO. Most of those who have contracted the virus have experienced mild symptoms and then recovered. There have been confirmed deaths in Mexico.
Border control measures
Currently, there are no restrictions on regular travel and no borders have been closed. However some airlines may cancel flights to affected areas and there may be delays at airports and border crossings. Some countries (including Australia) have put in place screening measures on flights from affected areas. Travellers may be asked to declare their state of health at international airports prior to travel. Some countries are also implementing new quarantine measures for all travellers who have recently visited Mexico. For more information, contact the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit.
Countries may implement enhanced border control measures for both arriving and departing passengers. These measures can also be applied to passengers who are transiting through a country. Some countries have adopted quarantine measures for those exhibiting flu-like symptoms. You should follow the instructions of local border control, law enforcement or health authorities.
Advice for Travellers
Before heading overseas:
Travellers in affected countries and regions should:
If you have visited Mexico, the United States or Canada since March and are unwell with a respiratory illness (fever and cough) on your return to Australia, contact your GP by telephone. Let them know that you have travelled to a country or region affected by swine influenza.
Australian Government Measures
The Australian Government is monitoring the current situation very closely. As a precautionary measure, Australia has for some years held a limited supply of the influenza antiviral medicine oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and protective face masks at most of its overseas missions. The medicine is intended primarily to protect emergency staff providing consular assistance and other essential services in the event of a widespread outbreak of pandemic influenza. These medicines are not currently being taken by staff at any missions and will only be taken on medical advice. If staff at any overseas missions are instructed to take Tamiflu as a precautionary measure, this will be reflected in the travel advice.
The holding of these supplies is a prudent measure to ensure that Australian officials overseas will be able to maintain essential services to Australians. The limited influenza antiviral medicine supplies held at Australian missions overseas do not allow for provision to other Australians who may be in an affected area.
The Australian Government has put in place strengthened border control measures in response to the potential spread of swine flu. Pilots flying to Australia will have to report any flu symptoms among their passengers. Anyone exhibiting flu-like symptoms will be assessed by the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service to determine whether medical treatment is required.
Further information and assistance
For more information on swine flu you can call the Commonwealth Health Hotline on 1802007 or go to www.healthemergency.gov.au. Current information on the global response to human cases of swine influenza and measures to avoid infection are also available on the WHO's Swine Influenza website.
If you require consular assistance overseas, contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. Contact details for the nearest Australian mission are also shown in the final section of the travel advisory for each country. Alternatively, you can contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 from within Australia.:tiphat:http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Health-Swine_Influenza
The Bulletin was issued on Saturday, 02 May 2009, 09:19:06, EST.
This Travel Bulletin should be read in conjunction with the Travel Advisory for your destination.
On 28 April 2009, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade reissued the travel advisory for Mexico to advise Australians to reconsider their need to travel to Mexico due outbreaks of swine influenza. Australians who do not have essential business in Mexico should consider leaving. Australians intending to remain in Mexico should ensure that they have access to adequate supplies of food, water and other essentials.
On 24 April 2009 the World Health Organization (WHO) advised Australia of cases of outbreaks of a new strain of swine influenza in Mexico and the United States. Cases have since been confirmed in Canada, New Zealand, Israel, Spain, the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Hong Kong and Switzerland. Outbreaks may occur in other countries. The WHO is providing regular updates on the location and number of confirmed cases on its website.
On 29 April 2009, the WHO raised the level of the influenza outbreak from phase 4 to phase 5 (of 6). The change to a higher phase of pandemic alert means that there is human-to-human spread in two countries in one WHO region. More information is available on the WHO website.
Governments in affected countries are taking appropriate measures and are being supported by the WHO. Most of those who have contracted the virus have experienced mild symptoms and then recovered. There have been confirmed deaths in Mexico.
Border control measures
Currently, there are no restrictions on regular travel and no borders have been closed. However some airlines may cancel flights to affected areas and there may be delays at airports and border crossings. Some countries (including Australia) have put in place screening measures on flights from affected areas. Travellers may be asked to declare their state of health at international airports prior to travel. Some countries are also implementing new quarantine measures for all travellers who have recently visited Mexico. For more information, contact the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit.
Countries may implement enhanced border control measures for both arriving and departing passengers. These measures can also be applied to passengers who are transiting through a country. Some countries have adopted quarantine measures for those exhibiting flu-like symptoms. You should follow the instructions of local border control, law enforcement or health authorities.
Advice for Travellers
Before heading overseas:
- Vaccination against seasonal influenza two weeks prior to travel is still recommended, although the degree of protection against this strain of swine flu is not clear. Consult your health care provider for travel medical advice and further guidance if you have specific concerns.
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy. You should be aware that the Australian Government will not pay for your medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs
- register your travel and contact details, so we can contact you in an emergency
- subscribe to the travel advisory for your destination so you can be notified of any updates.
Travellers in affected countries and regions should:
- practice hand hygiene (washing and drying of hands)
- practice respiratory etiquette (covering mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing)
- consult a doctor or the nearest hospital immediately if you develop flu-like symptoms.
If you have visited Mexico, the United States or Canada since March and are unwell with a respiratory illness (fever and cough) on your return to Australia, contact your GP by telephone. Let them know that you have travelled to a country or region affected by swine influenza.
Australian Government Measures
The Australian Government is monitoring the current situation very closely. As a precautionary measure, Australia has for some years held a limited supply of the influenza antiviral medicine oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and protective face masks at most of its overseas missions. The medicine is intended primarily to protect emergency staff providing consular assistance and other essential services in the event of a widespread outbreak of pandemic influenza. These medicines are not currently being taken by staff at any missions and will only be taken on medical advice. If staff at any overseas missions are instructed to take Tamiflu as a precautionary measure, this will be reflected in the travel advice.
The holding of these supplies is a prudent measure to ensure that Australian officials overseas will be able to maintain essential services to Australians. The limited influenza antiviral medicine supplies held at Australian missions overseas do not allow for provision to other Australians who may be in an affected area.
The Australian Government has put in place strengthened border control measures in response to the potential spread of swine flu. Pilots flying to Australia will have to report any flu symptoms among their passengers. Anyone exhibiting flu-like symptoms will be assessed by the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service to determine whether medical treatment is required.
Further information and assistance
For more information on swine flu you can call the Commonwealth Health Hotline on 1802007 or go to www.healthemergency.gov.au. Current information on the global response to human cases of swine influenza and measures to avoid infection are also available on the WHO's Swine Influenza website.
If you require consular assistance overseas, contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. Contact details for the nearest Australian mission are also shown in the final section of the travel advisory for each country. Alternatively, you can contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 from within Australia.:tiphat:http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Health-Swine_Influenza