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WorldNomads.com’s roving medical expert Dr. Erik McLaughlin MD writes a brief overview about Swine Flu.????

Army officer handing out face masks in Mexico City. (25 April 09) Photo by -Chupacabras-.

What is Swine Flu?

The virus (H1N1) is a combination of several different influenza strains including pig, bird and human virus.

As of April 25th, 2009 there have been an estimated 68 deaths in Mexico and approximately 1,000 cases, thus far. This is roughly a 7% case fatality rate, mainly in the healthy adult group. This is very unusual as influenza typically kills very young, very old and chronically ill persons.

Where is the outbreak?

As H1N1 (Swine Flu) circles the globe, both concern and the number of confirmed cases continues to grow.?

Public Health agencies including the World Health Organization are taking this matter seriously and have raised the Pandemic Alert from a 3 to a 4 (on? scale of 1-6).? This upgrade was largely due to the fact that containment is unlikely and focus will likely shift to mitigation.

As the disease outbreaks are changing constantly, it is best to refer to reputable news sources for up to date information about the spread.? Additionally, check out the FluTracker map.

Tips for avoiding Swine Flu

Swine Flu can be spread from person to person, so travelers are advised to:

• Wash your hands with either soap and water or alcohol based hand sanitizer, often
• Sanitary disposal of dirty tissues
• Avoidance of those with cough, sneeze or flu-like symptoms.
• Also, those who are sick with flu-like symptoms should stay home from work or school.

Prevention and Treatment Medicine:

Two medicines, both anti-virals, are getting a lot of new attention due to their ability to effectively combat H1N1 and likely lessen the severity and duration of illness.

Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is available in both a tablet and liquid form and has been approved for use against H1N1 virus by the CDC.

Relenza (zanamivir) is marketed in a spray form and is approved for use by the CDC against H1N1.

The following circumstances are advised to use the above medications by the CDC:

• Household close contacts who are at high-risk for complications of influenza (e.g., persons with certain chronic medical conditions, persons 65 or older, children younger than 5 years old, and pregnant women) of a confirmed, probable or suspected case.
• School children who are at high-risk for complications of influenza (children with certain chronic medical conditions) who had close contact (face-to-face) with a confirmed, probable, or suspected case.
• Travelers to Mexico who are at high-risk for complications of influenza (e.g., persons with certain chronic medical conditions, persons 65 or older, children younger than 5 years old, and pregnant women).
• Health care workers or public health workers who were not using appropriate personal protective equipment during close contact with an ill confirmed, probable, or suspect case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection during the case’s infectious period.

The following circumstances should consider use of anti-viral medication, which may be of help:

• Any health care worker who is at high-risk for complications of influenza (e.g., persons with certain chronic medical conditions, persons 65 or older, children younger than 5 years old, and pregnant women) who is working in an area of the healthcare facility that contains patients with confirmed swine influenza A (H1N1) cases, or who is caring for patients with any acute febrile respiratory illness.
• Non-high risk persons who are travelers to Mexico, first responders, or border workers who are working in areas with confirmed cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection.

Use of N-95 respirator masks may also help prevent influenza spread, although they require special fitting to ensure adequate face-mask seal.?

A 2007 CDC statement states that there is no clear evidence that using a surgical mask decreases influenza spread and there are no current recommendations to cover up.

Special consideration should be given to using these antiviral drugs as they should be obtained and used with a physicians script and care.? Counterfeit copies of these medications are common and rarely contain actual medicine to combat influenza.? This can lead to not only drug resistant strains but also leave the person with a false sense of protection.?? Antiviral medications should only be obtained from licensed and reputable pharmacies.

Supply of these medications is an obvious concern and the manufacturers are releasing stockpiles to help cope with increased need, as are public health agencies.? Areas with known outbreaks and those people with confirmed cases are of highest priority.

More Information:

CDC Swine Flu:
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/general_info.htm

World Health Organization:
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_04_24/en/index.html

Follow updates from Centre for Disease Control on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/H1N1Info

Swine Flu & Travel Insurance

Graham Kingaby, WorldNomads.com Insurance Director talks generally about how Swine Flu might affect your travel insurance coverage (video).?

WorldNomads customers,to read specific information about your cover please click here for Aust & NZ residents (PDF format, 36K. Updated 09 July 2009) or here for Rest of World residents (PDF format, 120K. Updated 09 July 2009)

If you also have an RSS feed reader, then subscribe to the Safety Hub Feed to receive notifications of any updates. You can also follow Travel Safety Hub on Twitter.

Permanent link to this post: Travel Alert: Swine Flu overview
From the Travel Insurance Related Tips weblog

The first is the city’s annual festival in honor of Barcelona’s patron saint, the Virgin de la Merce.

This is a week long celebration in late September characterized by events of all types. Most notable are its parades of giants (the parade consists of huge wooden giants controlled by operators on the ground) and the festival’s regular competition to build the largest human tower. In some cases, the human towers, people standing on top of people, can reach as high as 50 feet.

The festival also includes many sporting events including a swimming competition across the city’s harbour, and, like any good festival, it includes imbibing vast amounts of alcohol such as the Catalonian champagne Cava. The culmination of all the festivals events is the Correfoc. This is the race of fire where devils race through crowded streets while playing with fire, fireworks, and with the people themselves.

The Festes del Merce is a truly hot time to mark the end of the long hot Catalan summer.But Barcelona doesn’t end its festivities with the end of the summer.

As the temperature in the region moves from hot to cool, so does the citys entertainment. Barcelona is well known for its admiration of Jazz and Blues. Its International Jazz Festival is one of the largest, and the longest running, in all of Europe and brings to the city the very coolest of international Jazz and Blues artists.

The festival takes place between October and December of each year and attracts the best musicians from all over the world. In addition to providing an outstanding venue for music, the festival also provides workshops and classes for aspiring Jazz artists and often includes advice or suggestions from some of the top talent at the festival.

Barcelonas festivals are but a few of its principal attractions. The citys location on the Mediterranean Sea, its overall 21st century spirit, and its world-class art and architecture make it a compelling destination for any visitor at any time of the year. In the middle of all the festivities, visitors should make a point not to miss the Picasso Museum, the Joan Miro Park, the imposing Catedral La Seu, the central promenade of La Rambla, and, of course, the waterfront itself.

Of particular note, visitors should be sure to visit the buildings of the revolutionary architect, Antoni Gaudi. Both the Casa Batllo and the Sagrada Familia are spectacular monuments to his unique modernist vision.

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From the UK Real Estate weblog

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Ay, Caramba! You’ve gone on that long awaited vacation to Mexico and all of sudden you 1. Are sick 2. Had your money stolen or 3. Are stuck alone on a roadside! At World Nomads we’re lucky to have lots of friends in the travel industry, we polled them to give you the very best tips staying safe in Mexico.

1. Learn the Lingo.
A little bit of Spanish goes a long way! Try your hardest with the locals and it will get you a lot further than simply trying to get them to understand English.

Daniel Radcliffe,? Volunteer HQ

2. Drink responsibly.?
The variety of tequila is simply overwhelming, so was the hangover! Drink responsibly and test new alcohols cautiously and with friends that can watch out for you. No matter what your friends say don’t eat the worm in the Tequila bottle!!

Mat Lewis, i-to-i

3. Stay alert!????
If you get far off the beaten path (for example, deep in the Copper Canyon) and see fancy late-model pickups and gated driveways, know that you’re in a drug growing and trafficking area and get the hell out of there.

Josh Steinitz, Nile Guide

4. Check the water.??
Don’t drink the water also means don’t drink the ice! Check with your hotel or restaurant if the ice is made with purified water, same goes for anything that would be washed in water during preparation like salads.

Christina Tunnah, World Nomads

5. Get directions.??
Rural roads can be bad. Very, very bad. Make sure your vehicle can handle them. The last thing you want is your rental to break down, your cell phone doesn’t work and no one speaks English. Check with the locals on which routes are the safest to take.

Kathy Dragon, Travel Dragon

It always helps to know a little bit of the local language, so have a quick study of the below:

?Hola! = Hello

Buenos Dias = Good Day

Buenas Noches = Good Night

Gracias = Thank You

De Nada = You’re Welcome

?Cuanto Cuesta? = How Much?

?A Que Hora? = At What Time?

?Donde esta el baño? = Where is the bathroom?

?Emergencia! = Emergency!

?Ayudame por favor! = Help me please!

Keen to learn more?

If you want to learn more Spanish in prep for your trip, check out our FREE Spanish Language Guides. If you’re determined to nail more than just the basics, check out our latest Spanish Language Guide PLUS iPhone app with over 500 phrases!

What did you learn in Mexico and wish you knew before you went?? Leave us a comment…

Valentine’s Day E-card (click to enlarge):

valentine ecard

Link to this post: http://freeecards.blogbuddy.ca/2009/free-valentine-ecards/valentine-ecard/

Padang, a town on the Indonesian island of Sumatra was struck by an earthquake measuring 7.6-magnitude on Tuesday 30th September at 5.16pm local time. The quake was felt as far away as Jakarta which is situated 200km to the north. A Tsunami alert was initially made which was subsequently revoked soon afterwards.

The following day at 8.52am local time, a second unrelated quake measuring 6.8 struck near Padang.

Sadly the death toll has risen dramatically and 24 hours following the event stands at over 1,100 people. Essential infrastructure has been damaged in the region including shopping malls, hospitals and schools. This has also resulted in Fires.?

Padang is home to almost one million people across the coast of Sumatra. It is understood the capital city is without power and communications, several areas are inaccessible to emergency services.

Safety tips if you are in an affected area

If you are injured or Sick?
If you are injured or become ill please seek medical aid and contact your 24-hour Medical Assistance Service.?? World Nomads policy holders can find these details on their Certificates of Insurance or log in to the members section. The traveller should recognize that any functioning hospitals and clinics will be busy caring for people who have been injured and/or who are sick.

If you are in a region with no operating medical facilities please contact the Medical Assistance Service Immediately.

WorldNomads policy holders can find these details on their Certificates of Insurance or log in to the members section.

Injuries

The risk of injury is high. Persons who anticipate the need to travel

to disaster area should wear sturdy footwear to protect their feet from

Injury. Tetanus is a potential health threat for cuts and grazes. Any

wound, cut, or animal bites should be immediately cleansed with soap

and clean water. Seek rapid medical review should you become injured.

Wash your Hands
Wash your hands often using soap and water to help prevent the spread of disease. Waterless alcohol-based hand rubs may be used when soap and/or water are not available and hands are not visibly soiled.

What can I eat or drink?
Natural disasters can disrupt water supplies and sewage systems. If bottled water is not available, water should be boiled or disinfected. For more information refer to http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/foodwater.aspx

Food should be carefully chosen to reduce the risk of getting gastrointestinal illness. Avoid salads, uncooked vegetables and milk products, such as cheese. Ensure your food is freshly cooked and has not been sitting around. Food’s that has been cooked and is still hot or fruit that has been washed in clean water and then peeled by the traveler personally are safer to eat.

What if I get Diarrhea?
Gastroenteritis outbreaks can occur following a disaster.? Diarrhea may be accompanied by a high fever or passing blood in the diarrhea. Replacing lost fluids by drinking clean water is important or the use of oral rehydration solutions.

Insects
Bites can be prevented through combined use of insect repellent and barrier methods such as wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when. Insect Repellent containing DEET should be used at all times.
Ensure you have been immunized for Tetanus in the past 5 years.

Safety
Traveller’s should be careful to avoid downed power lines. Battery-powered flashlights and lanterns, rather than candles, gas lanterns, or torches, should be used. Keep your personal belongings especially your passport and money on your person or in a safe place close to you.

Environmental Hazards

Be aware of what is happening around you. Following a disaster there will be rapidly moving water.? Lung infections may occur after inhalation of sea water. Disasters resulting in massive structural damage can also result in exposure to chemical or biologic contaminants (e.g., asbestos).

Environmental things to remember
Both hot and cold extremes in temperature can pose a danger. Heat-related illness, such as heat stroke, can even be fatal. Remember to wear your sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat to protect you from the sun. Evenings can become cold so have a pullover or waterproof jacket available. Keep you fluid intake up with clean water during the day. Try to keep a dry change of clothing handy to change into. This will help in keeping you warm and preventing heat loss.

What is happening to me and who do I call?

It is important to remember that the situation you are in can be extremely stressful. Keeping an item of comfort nearby, such as a family photo, favorite music, or religious material, can often offer comfort in such situations. Call home and your countries Consulate or Embassy to let them know where you are, if you are alright and if you need any assistance.

When you get out of there or back home
If you become unwell within 6 weeks of returning with fever, rash, respiratory illness or any other unusual symptoms seek medical attention and tell them that you were recently in a Disaster affected region.

Advice for World Nomads Policy Holders

Latest advice available for Australian and NZ residents: 02 October 2009
Click here to read the information (PDF format, 12K. Updated 02 October 2009)

Latest advice available for US residents: 07 October 2009
For emergency assistance:
In the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands, call 1-877-257-8108
All other locations, call collect 1-804-281-5789
If you can’t call collect, we’ll call you back.

Please have this information ready when you call: your name, location and phone number

We will post advice for other policy holders as soon as possible.

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