Outbreak Notice
2009 H1N1 Flu: Global Situation
This information is current as of today, November 24, 2009 at 17:43 EST
Updated: October 15, 2009
Current Situation
2009 H1N1 flu cases have been reported in many countries around the world, including the United States. For the most up-to-date information about where cases of 2009 H1N1 flu are occurring, see the following pages on CDC's H1N1 Flu website:
Other resources with information about the outbreak situation include the following websites:
On June 11, 2009, WHO raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the 2009 H1N1 flu virus. A Phase 6 alert level means that a global pandemic is under way and that community level outbreaks are now ongoing in multiple parts of world. The Phase 6 pandemic alert level is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus. For more information, see CDC’s H1N1 Flu website.
Health authorities around the world are monitoring the situation. If the situation changes, further information and travel recommendations related to this outbreak will be posted on the CDC Travelers' Health website.
Basic Information about 2009 H1N1 Flu
The 2009 H1N1 flu virus is a new, unique flu virus that had not been seen in humans until the spring of 2009. People who are infected usually have flu-like symptoms (see below). Even though some severe illnesses and deaths from 2009 H1N1 flu have been reported, most cases have been similar to seasonal flu and have not resulted in severe illness. Most cases have occurred in children and younger adults.
Symptoms of flu (including 2009 H1N1 flu) include:
Fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.
Recommendations for Travel to Areas Reporting 2009 H1N1 Flu
CDC recommends that travelers who have an increased risk for complications from the flu (see list below) talk with their doctors about what they should do if they develop symptoms of flu and whether they should consider taking antiviral medications with them on their trip as a treatment option (in case appropriate medical care is delayed or not available). Together, they should look carefully at the 2009 H1N1 flu situation at their destination and the available health-care options in the area when considering what would be best in their situation. Some travelers at increased risk of complications from flu may want to consider postponing travel.
People at high risk for complications include:
- Children younger than 5 years old, but especially younger than 2 years old
- Adults aged 65 years or older
- Pregnant women
- Persons with any of the following conditions:
- Cancer
- Blood disorders (including sickle cell disease)
- Chronic lung disease [including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)]
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Kidney disorders
- Liver disorders
- Neurological disorders (including nervous system, brain or spinal cord)
- Neuromuscular disorders (including muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis)
- Weakened immune systems (including people with AIDS)
Healthy people may make travel plans as they normally would and take common sense precautions to protect their health during travel.
Before Your Trip
If you are planning travel, especially to an area where cases of flu are being reported (including 2009 H1N1 flu), the following recommendations will help you reduce your risk of infection and stay healthy.
Prepare for your trip
- Stay informed. Check updates from the sources listed in the “Current Situation” section above.
- Be sure you are up to date with all your routine vaccinations, including seasonal influenza vaccine, when available.
- Find out about the other health risks and travel recommendations for your destination.
- Pack a travel health kit that contains basic first aid and medical supplies.
- Identify the health-care resources in the area(s) you will be visiting.
- Find out if your health insurance plan will cover medical care during your trip; many insurance companies do NOT cover these costs.
- CDC recommends purchasing additional insurance that covers medical care costs during international travel and medical evacuation.
- For more information, see Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad from the U.S. Department of State.
- Remember that U.S. embassies, consulates and military facilities do not evacuate or give medications, vaccines, or medical care to private U.S. citizens during international travel.
Check your own health
Check your own health for the symptoms of flu (see box above).
Do not travel if you are sick. This is both for your comfort and to keep others from getting sick.
If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact a health-care provider or seek medical care. Otherwise, stay home and avoid travel for at least 24 hours after fever or fever-like symptoms are gone. Your fever should be gone without using a medicine that reduces fever.
During Your Trip
Follow local guidelines
- Pay attention to announcements from the local government and monitor the local health and security situation. In addition to CDC’s Travelers’ Health website and the U.S. Department of State website, these announcements may come in many ways, such as through the local news media.
- Follow any movement restrictions and prevention recommendations.
- Be aware that some countries are checking the health of arriving and/or exiting passengers and screening them for illness due to 2009 H1N1 flu to prevent others from getting sick. For more information, see the Possible 2009 H1N1 Flu Screening for International Travelers announcement.
Practice healthy habits to help stop the spread of 2009 H1N1 flu
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub,* when your hands are not visibly dirty.
* If soap and water are not available and you do not have an alcohol-based product while you are traveling, other hand sanitizers that do not contain alcohol may be useful. - Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and put your used tissue in the trash. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
What to do if you feel sick
- It is expected that most people will recover without needing medical care.
- If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, seek medical care.
- A U.S. consular officer can help you find local medical care in a foreign country. To contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country you are visiting, call Overseas Citizens Services at:
- Avoid further travel for at least 24 hours after fever or fever-like symptoms are gone. Your fever should be gone without using a medicine that reduces fever.
- 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, especially after coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub,* when your hands are not visibly dirty.
*If soap and water are not available and you do not have an alcohol-based product while you are traveling, other hand sanitizers that do not contain alcohol may be useful. - Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Follow all local health recommendations. For example, if you are sick, you may be asked to put on a surgical mask to protect others or to stay in your home or hotel to prevent the spread of 2009 H1N1 flu.
- For more information about what to do if you become sick while you are traveling outside the United States, visit Your Survival Guide for Safe and Healthy Travel.
For information on CDC's recommendations for antiviral use during the 2009 H1N1 flu outbreak, please visit CDC’s Updated Interim Recommendations for the Use of Antiviral Medications in the Treatment and Prevention of Influenza for the 2009-2010 Season.
After Your Trip
- Closely monitor your health for 7 days.
- If you become ill with fever and other symptoms of 2009 H1N1 (see box above), follow the steps in the section above titled “What to do if you feel sick” and the What To Do If You Get Sick: 2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Flu page on the CDC H1N1 Flu website.
- Travelers returning from a country with endemic malaria should see a health-care provider if they experience symptoms of flu. The first symptoms of malaria usually include fever and chills, similar to the symptoms of flu. However, if malaria is left untreated, the disease can quickly become serious and even life threatening.
Additional Information
If you have specific questions about 2009 H1N1 flu cases, see the Contact CDC webpage or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
To learn more about seasonal flu, visit the CDC Seasonal Influenza (Flu) website.
To learn more about travel health, visit the CDC Travelers' Health website.
