Safe and healthy travel—
Traveling in the wake of the H1N1 influenza outbreak

In recent weeks, an outbreak of H1N1 influenza—commonly called the “swine flu”—has prompted questions and concerns regarding the safety of international travel. To date, Harvard University has not issued any travel restrictions for its students, faculty, or staff.

However, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recommended deferring all nonessential travel to Mexico. Students planning to travel to Mexico should discuss their plans with an academic advisor and consider whether their goals might also be accomplished by traveling to a different country. The CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) are frequently posting updated H1N1 information and members of the Harvard Community should consult the CDC and WHO websites before traveling.

The Harvard University Health Services website contains frequently asked questions about the H1N1 influenza and is being updated as new information becomes known. Travelers should check this site regularly for the latest University-wide information and guidance on H1N1 influenza.

The most important precautions to take are the same as they are for all forms of influenza: Practice good hygiene by regularly washing your hands with soap or alcholol-based sanitizers and covering your coughs. If you are feeling sick with flu-like symptoms, see your primary care physician immediately. You should not return to class or work until at least seven days after the onset of symptoms.

It is the policy of the University that all Harvard students, faculty, and staff traveling abroad are required to register their itineraries for business-related travel with International SOS (see below for instructions), a complimentary travel assistance service available to all members of the Harvard community. International SOS service provides emergency assistance in foreign countries to Harvard travelers.

Every year, Harvard students, faculty and staff travel internationally and this year is no exception. It is important to take a few steps to prepare for your trip before you depart. This information will help you to be Proactive, Prepared, and Protected when it comes to your health—and the health of others—while you are traveling.

Be proactive!
Take steps to anticipate any new information about the H1N1 influenza or possible travel restrictions that could be in effect or arise during your trip

• Learn about your destination. Visit the CDC and WHO sites for up-to-date recommendations and travel alerts. The U.S. State Department site would also include information regarding any travel limitations,
• See your health care provider before you travel. Many countries recommend or require travel vaccinations be administered up to 2–4 weeks before you depart to be effective. For instance, if you are traveling to an area that is endemic for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis and will be engaging in activities where you could be exposed to TB, your clinician may recommend a baseline tuberculosis skin test prior to your departure.
• Think about your health status. If you are beginning to feel sick with flu-like symptoms, public health authorities strongly advise that you stay away from class or work in an effort to not spread your influenza to others. Traveling on airplanes can also spread germs to other travelers. Travelers with other recent serious illness or special health needs such as pregnancy, disabilities, or serious chronic conditions, also may need additional care before traveling.  

Be prepared!
You may not be able to prevent every illness or injury, but you can plan ahead to be able to deal with them.

• Always follow the basic recommendations for combating influenza: Wash your hands with soap and alcohol-based sanitizers and cover your mouth when you cough. Try not to touch your face or eyes after coughing or sneezing.
• Know what to do if you become sick or injured on your trip. You should see a physician as soon as possible if you are feeling flu-like symptoms. International SOS can assist you in finding doctors and receiving necessary treatment anywhere in the world.
• Share important information about your trip. Register your travel itinerary and contact information with International SOS (instructions below) so that it is easier to find you in the event of an emergency.
• Pack smart; make sure you have your prescription medication with appropriate documentation and your International SOS card (print a card at http://vpf-web.harvard.edu/rmas/4_insurance/intnlsos.html). Notify your pharmacy if you will be traveling for more than 3 months and require a greater than 3-month supply of medication. You will need a travel waiver. Bring your vaccination record and any pertinent medical history such as allergies. You should also plan your itenerary so you have periodic web access to check the latest information on H1N1 as the situation can change rapidly.
• Plan ahead in the event that you get sick or injured during your trip. In addition to your International SOS card and web addresses to check on the latest H1N1 advisories and travel alerts, consider packing basic first aid supplies, a thermometer, acetaminophen, Pepto-Bismol, and cold medications. Be cautious about purchasing medications when traveling, and call the International SOS number on your card should you have an emergency.

Be protected!
It is important to practice healthy behaviors during your trip and after you return home. There are currently no travel-related restrictions in exiting or entering the United States due to the H1N1 influenza, but it is your responsibility to keep abreast of changing developments through the CDC, WHO, or U.S. State Department websites.

• Ensure personal hygiene by bringing along soap and alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
• Stay informed; be mindful of travel alerts for the H1N1 influenza and follow CDC and WHO guidelines for personal protection should there be a local or international infectious disease outbreak. Infections such as H1N1 influenza are thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• Take everyday actions and use common sense in order to stay healthy. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water, or alcohol based cleaners such as Purell©. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, which can introduce germs.
• Be careful about food and water. Although H1N1 or the “swine flu” cannot be acquired by eating pork, many illnesses from simple travelers’ diarrhea to parasitic infections can be acquired by eating foods to which your system is not accustomed. Travelers should be advised to select food with care. All raw food, no matter its location, is subject to contamination.
• Try not to take risks with your health and safety. If you are feeling flu-like symptoms, see your primary health provider immediately. If you get sick while abroad, call the number on your International SOS card and ask for assistance.
• Pay attention to your health when you come home: If you are feeling flu-like symptoms, see your primary care physician immediately and do not go back to work or classes. You should also mention your travel history in case there has been a change in the severity of the H1N1 influenza severity.
• If you were started on any medications by a doctor in response to the H1N1 influenza while you were away, you should continue taking them for the prescribed time period even after you return home.

Register with International SOS
Registering your itinerary for business-related travel with International SOS is required. The complimentary service provides 24-hour worldwide emergency medical and evacuation assistance for Harvard's employees and students traveling on University related activities. Please note International SOS is NOT health insurance, it is a travel assistance program, but it can help you locate high-quality medical care if you are sick, including if you believe you may be feeling the effects of H1N1 influenza. Harvard travelers should maintain their own personal health insurance and determine if their health insurance program needs to be adjusted to accommodate travel out of the country. To register your travel itinerary and contact information with International SOS:

• Go to the International SOS website at http://www.internationalsos.com.
• Log in with Harvard’s International SOS ID number: 11BSGC000038.
• Click on “Personal Travel Record” to input your information.

Visit HUHS website: http://huhs.harvard.edu
Visit the CDC Travelers health page: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx
Visit the World Health Organization on international travel: http://www.who.int/ith/en/

PRINTABLE (PDF) VERSION OF INFORMATION ABOVE