Travel health precaution: Influenza A (H1NI)

The Taiwanese CDC issued this information when entering Taiwan.

Influenza A (H 1 N1) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Influenza A (H1N1) viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with influenza A (H1N1) have occurred. Outbreaks and sporadic human infection with influenza A (H1N1) have been reported in Mexico and the United States of America. The modes of human-to-human transmission are similar to those of seasonal influenza. The primary routes of transmission include air droplet transmission and contact transmission. People who have influenza A (HIN1) are potentially contagious for up to 7 days following onset of illness. The symptoms of influenza A(H 1 NI) in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza. In view of the current international epidemic situation, travelers must reinforce the necessary prevention measures listed as follows:

During trip
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw the tissue in the trash after you use it, and when you touch respiratory secretion, hands must be washed with soap and water, or cleaned using an alcohol-based hand gel.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Influenza A(H1N1) virus is killed by cooking temperatures of 160°F/70°C, so eat only foods that have been thoroughly cooked and are still hot.
• Avoid visiting areas affected by the outbreak or avoid contact with a symptomatic person.

Upon arrival
• Before/Upon arrival in Taiwan, if you develop symptoms such as fever, respiratory symptoms (cough, sore throat, stuffy nose etc.), vomiting, diarrhea, headache, body aches, chills and fatigue etc., please consult the quarantine officer at the quarantine station and fill out the “Communicable Disease Survey Form”

Return home
• Stay home and observe your health for a period of seven days. Take your temperature once in the morning and once at night, and record your temperature. If you develop symptoms after returning home, please wear a surgical mask and seek medical assistance immediately, and inform the doctor of your recent travel and contact history.
• Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline: 1922

Taiwan CDC cares about your health.

Reference:

1. WHO. Influenza A(H 1 N 1) frequently asked questions. Available at:http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/frequently_asked_questions/en/index.html
2.United States of America CDC. H1N1 Flu. Available at:http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/!
3 Taiwan CDC. Influenza A(H IN I). Available at:http://www.cdc.gov.tw

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Words to know:

• influenza : ( /ˌɪnfluˈɛnzə/) a common illness that is caused by a virus and that causes fever, weakness, severe aches and pains, and breathing problems (also called flu)
• virus : (/ˈvaɪrəs/) an extremely small living thing that causes a disease and that spreads from one person or animal to another, a disease or illness caused by a virus : a viral disease
• sporadic:( /spəˈrædɪk/) happening often but not regularly : not constant or steady
• outbreak:( /ˈaʊtˌbreɪk/) a sudden start or increase of fighting or disease
• contagious: ( /kənˈteɪʤəs/) able to be passed from one person or animal to another by touching, having a sickness that can be passed to someone else by touching
• onset: (/ˈɑ:nˌsɛt/) the beginning of something
• symptoms: (/ˈsɪmptəm/) a change in the body or mind which indicates that a disease is present
• epidemic: (/ˌɛpəˈdɛmɪk/) an occurrence in which a disease spreads very quickly and affects a large number of people, a sudden quickly spreading occurrence of something harmful or unwanted
• prevention: (/prɪˈvɛnʃən/) the act or practice of stopping something bad from happening : the act of preventing something
  
• symptomatic:(/ˌsɪmptəˈmætɪk/) showing that a particular disease is present
• immediately: (/ɪˈmi:dijətli/) without any delay
• communicable:(/kəˈmju:nɪkəbəl/) able to be passed to another person