Skip to main content
hpa logo
Topics A-Z:
Search the site:
Home › News Centre › National Press Releases ›2009 Press Releases ›  Swine flu: travel advice for the half term break
Printer friendly page (opens in new window)

Swine flu: travel advice for the half term break

21 May 2009

Travellers reminded to take simple health precautions against swine flu  

The Health Protection Agency is reminding all travellers going abroad over the half term school break to take the necessary travel health precautions against swine flu.


Around the world, 41 countries have reported more than 11,000 cases of swine flu. In many, the position is similar to that of the UK. However travellers should be aware that there is widespread community transmission in North America.

In most cases to date the swine flu infection has been mild and although there are no travel restrictions in place related to this infection there are sensible precautions that travellers can take to protect themselves.

  • Before travelling, check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website for information specific to the country you are visiting: www.fco.gov.uk. Those without internet access can call the FCO's 24-hour advice line on 0845 850 2829.
  • Always follow general infection control practices and good respiratory hand hygiene to help reduce transmission of all viruses, including swine flu. This includes:
    • Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of virus from your hands to face or to other people
    • Cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product
    • Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible
    • Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully
    • Making sure your children follow this advice

If travellers do become ill while on holiday, on the flight home, or on their return:

  • Travellers should continue to be aware of the risk of swine flu and anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms during a stay in a country affected by swine flu should contact a health professional and inform them of their symptoms
  • Anyone who becomes ill on their flight home should alert cabin crew to their symptoms. There are well established procedures in place for dealing with passengers who become unwell on flights and the airline will advise port health officials on the ground that a passenger requires a health assessment and may need treatment
  • Travellers returning from a country affected by swine flu who become unwell with flu-like symptoms within seven days of their return should stay at home and contact their GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647
  • To access the Department of Health Swine Flu Information line when abroad, call 00 44 207 928 1010.

Ends

Notes to editors
Further information on swine flu is available on the Health Protection Agency's website at www.hpa.org.uk/swineflu

Details of the countries around the world currently affected by swine flu are available on the World Health Organisation website at www.who.int/en/   

The Department of Health swine flu information line for the public is available on 0800 1 513 513.

If you are looking for advice on how swine flu might affect your travel plans, you should consult the travel advice pages on the FCO website for the country concerned (http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country). If you are overseas and are seeking specific advice on the country in which you are located you should also consult our travel advice.

Copies of a leaflet being distributed at all ports of entry into the UK providing passengers arriving in the UK with information on swine flu are available at http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1240986139568

The World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic alert level is Phase 5. 'This is characterised by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalise the organisation, communication and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short'. The Agency is well prepared to meet the requirements of phase 5.

WHO also advise people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) advises people with underlying chronic conditions to contact their doctor before travel.

For media enquiries only please contact the Health Protection Agency's Centre for Infections press office on:

020 8327 6647                       
020 8327 7098                                   
020 8327 7080                                   
020 8327 7097
020 8327 6690

Last reviewed: 21 May 2009