May 14, 2009. H1N1 Flu Screening Procedures May Cause International Travel Delays
| SOURCE: | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
Due to the outbreak of novel H1N1 flu occurring in the United States and many other countries, airport staff in some countries may check the health of arriving passengers. Many countries, including Japan and China, are screening arriving passengers for illness due to novel H1N1 flu. These health screenings are being used to prevent the spread of novel H1N1 flu.
If you are sick with symptoms of influenza-like illness you should not travel. These symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
Travelers should be aware that since the novel H1N1 flu outbreak is occurring in the United States, flights from the United States arriving in other countries may be specifically targeted for screening. United States travelers may be checked for fever and other symptoms of novel H1N1 flu and their travel may be delayed.
If you travel internationally from the United States, you may be asked to:
Pass through a scanning device that checks your temperature (the device may look like an airport metal detector, a camera, or a handheld device)
Have your temperature taken with an oral or ear thermometer
Fill out a sheet of questions about your health
Be quarantined for a period of time if a passenger on your flight is found to have symptoms of novel H1N1 flu
And, if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms, you may be asked to:
Have a medical examination
Take a rapid flu test which consists of a nasal swab sample
Be isolated if you are showing signs of respiratory illness consistent with novel H1N1 flu
CDC strongly encourages all passengers to cooperate with these procedures. Please note that the U.S. Department of State usually cannot interfere with the right of other countries to screen airline passengers entering or exiting their countries. Please consult the embassy of the country you will be traveling to for further information about entry screening procedures.
Copyright © 2009, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention