As the risk of Pandemic Flu continues to be an important issue, we ask that you take a few moments and review some basic information about the flu as well as some travel guidelines and policies established to ensure the well-being of the NCSSM community.
THE PANDEMIC FLU
An influenza pandemic is a large-scale epidemic of a contagious human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, or serious illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person. Though currently there is no pandemic flu, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns there is a substantial risk of one in the next few years, the magnitude and seriousness of which cannot be known.
The public health threat of a pandemic arising from novel influenza subtypes such as influenza A virus (H5N1) will be greatly increased if the virus gains the ability to spread easily from one human to another.
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend any travel restrictions to countries with known H5N1 outbreaks at this time. However, the CDC does advise travelers to countries with known outbreaks of H5N1 influenza to avoid poultry farms, contact with animals in live food markets and any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with feces from poultry or other animals. In an effort to ensure the health and safety of the NCSSM community, the School requires that no student or staff member travel to poultry farms in avian influenza-affected countries, primarily Southeastern Asian countries.
Moreover, we require that anyone who visits avian influenza-affected countries report the trip to NCSSM’s Office of Campus Resources (919.416.2900 or tucker@ncssm.edu). In appropriate circumstances, the School may request or require self-quarantine for one week upon return, in addition to following the travel guidelines described below.
BEFORE TRAVEL
§ Be sure you are up to date with all your routine vaccinations (i.e. tetanus/diphtheria, polio, measles/mumps/rubella, and seasonal influenza vaccine if it is available), and see your doctor or healthcare provider to get any additional vaccinations, medications or information you may need.
§ Assemble a travel health kit containing basic first aid and medical supplies.
§ Visit the CDC’s Traveler’s Health Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel to educate yourself and others who may be traveling with you about any disease risks and CDC health recommendations for international travel in the areas you plan to visit.
§ Learn about medical services your health insurance will cover overseas, as well as any policy exclusions.
§
Identify healthcare resources in the country(ies) you will be visiting
and resources for emergency medical evaluation, especially if your travel will
be long-term or if you have any underlying medical condition.
§ For informational purposes, Travel Health Online and the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM) provide lists of travel medicine from healthcare providers around the world.
§ A list of travel insurance and medical evacuation companies is available on the U.S. Department of State Web site.
DURING TRAVEL
§ Avoid places where live birds, such as chickens, are raised or kept.
§ Wash your hands often with soap and water to prevent disease transmission. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-base hand gel (containing at least 60 percent alcohol).
§ Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and encourage others to do the same.
IF YOU BECOME SICK WHILE IN AN AVIAN INFLUENZA-AFFECTED AREA:
§
If you become sick with symptoms such as a fever
accompanied by a cough, sore throat or difficulty breathing, or if you develop
any illness that requires prompt medical attention, a
§ Wear a mask if you are sick.
§ Before you visit the doctor or clinic, inform your healthcare provider of any possible exposures to avian influenza.
§ Do not travel if you are sick except to seek local medical care.
AFTER YOUR RETURN
§ Monitor your health for 10 days.
§
If you become ill with a fever plus cough, sore
throat, or trouble breathing during this 10-day period, consult a healthcare
provider. Before you visit a healthcare
setting, tell the provider the following: 1) Your symptoms, 2) Where you
traveled, and 3) If you have had any direct contact with poultry or close
contact with a severely ill person. This way, he or she can be aware that you
have traveled to an area reporting avian influenza.
§
Do not travel while ill, unless you are seeking
medical care. Limiting contact with others as much as possible can help prevent
the spread of an infectious illness.
§
Self-quarantine
for one week upon return.