The World Health Organization's recent A(H1N1) Influenza pandemic declaration is no cause for panic.

It is important to keep in mind that the WHO's upgrade to Phase 6 is strictly based on the geographic spread of the infection (the virus is currently making its way throughout the southern hemisphere as part of their normal flu season) rather than the number of infected people or the severity of the symptoms.

Here's what public health officials currently know about this new strain of the A H1N1 virus (also known as human swine flu):

• Human-to-human transmission occurs through infected cough or sneeze droplets either inhaled or by touching a contaminated surface.
• The majority of infected persons experience mild symptoms and fully recover, usually without the need for hospitalization or medical care.
• The virus seems to infect younger people, usually under 25.
• A majority of severe cases and fatalities occur in people (30-50 years old) with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, auto-immune disorders, and obesity. Pregnant women are also at higher risk of experiencing complications.

What we do not know is how the virus will act or mutate over the next few months, especially as the second wave of infection will occur in the northern hemisphere this Fall. It is also not clear to which extent this viral infection affects people living in poor socio-economic conditions (crowded housing, chronic health problems) who have limited or no access to good healthcare.

There is still no vaccine against this virus. However, Swiss-based pharmaceutical company Novartis has just announced that it has produced the first batch of A(H1N1) vaccine and that it plans to start clinical trials in July and expects the vaccine to be available this Fall.

If you are travelling, it is always important to practice good hygiene, regardless if there is a pandemic:

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly (15-20 seconds with soap and warm water). If you do not have access to water or soap, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cover your sneezes and coughs using a tissue, or if you don't have a tissue handy, use your elbow sleeve. Properly dispose the tissue and wash your hands.
• Drink lots of fluids, eat healthy food, manage your stress, exercise, and get regular sleep.
• If you experience flu-like symptoms during your trip, seek medical attention immediately. See our Medical Directory online to access a IAMAT doctor overseas. If IAMAT does not have an affiliated clinic where you are staying, contact your Embassy or Consulate.

For more information:
World Health Organization A(H1N1) World Map

Although this A(H1N1) influenza virus is genetically linked to swine, and occasionally to turkeys, scientists believe that the closest relatives of the new strain were previously found in North America and Europe/Asia.

What is still not clear is how humans first contracted this strain of the virus. Scientists are still trying to figure out if the virus recently underwent a mutation or whether there has been insufficient surveillance of swine populations detecting the virus. To better reflect the current understanding of the infection, the World Health Organization is referring to the virus as Influenza A(H1N1).

If you are planning international travel, consult your national public health agency to see if there are any travel advisories for your destination country. It is important to note that so far only certain municipalities in affected countries have reported isolated cases. For the geographical distribution of cases in Mexico, see IAMAT's travel health alert. (Click on Disease Risks and scroll down to 'Other Diseases of Interest to Travellers').

If you do travel, you will likely find yourself in crowded or confined areas. Remember to frequently and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water and cover your sneezes or coughs. If you do not have access to soap, bring along a bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer. The effectiveness of using facemasks or respirators in crowded places (planes, public transit) to prevent illness from this virus is not conclusive since they do not prevent transmission of the virus and often provide a false sense of security at the expense of recommended health sanitation practices. Ask your healthcare provider if a mask or respirator is recommended for you.

If you are exhibiting flu-like symptoms prior to going abroad, we highly recommended that you consider postponing international travel. If you are currently travelling and have become ill, seek medical attention immediately. See our Medical Directory online to access a IAMAT doctor overseas. If IAMAT does not have an affiliated clinic where you are staying, contact your Embassy or Consulate.

Again, it is important to keep the current situation in perspective. The seasonal flu is a greater threat to your health than the current human swine influenza outbreak. Based on World Health Organization statistics, the seasonal flu severely affects 3-5 million people and causes 250,000 to 500,000 deaths every year. To view up-to-date Influenza A(H1N1) confirmed cases go to the World Health Organization website.

For more information:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Public Health Agency of Canada

Secretaria de Salud / Mexico

As more news updates about the swine flu outbreak are coming in, sometimes contradictory, it's easy to panic and forget common sense.

Reports of the infection spreading to more countries, new travel health advisories for Mexico, and the World Health Organization revising the infection status as causing 'community-level outbreaks', tend to inadvertently increase our level of fear. In all this flurry of activity, it is important to keep in mind that this situation is not a pandemic and that a majority of cases have reported mild symptoms (although it is yet unclear why the strain is more virulent in Mexico). In fact, the regular seasonal flu is currently a larger threat to public health than swine flu.

This outbreak is a good reminder to review daily health sanitation habits. The following steps - to prevent the transmission of the flu - should be taken everyday, regardless of a viral outbreak.

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly (15-20 seconds with soap and warm water).
• Cover your sneezes and coughs using a tissue, or if you don't have a tissue handy, use your elbow sleeve. Properly dispose the tissue and wash your hands.
• Drink lots of fluids, eat healthy food, manage your stress, exercise, and get regular sleep.
• If you experience flu-like symptoms, stay home and contact your doctor or healthcare practitioner immediately. Avoid contact with healthy people.

Public health experts and scientists believe that a swine flu vaccine will not be ready for another 3-6 months. The current anti-viral vaccines do not protect you against swine flu, however it may lessen the virulence of the infection. In case you are not vaccinated against seasonal influenza, contact your physician to see if it is recommended for you, but keep in mind that current anti-viral supplies are low.

See IAMAT's travel health alert for Mexico. (Click on Disease Risks and scroll down to 'Other Diseases of Interest to Travellers').

For updated information: - World Health Organization - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Public Health Agency of Canada - Secretaria de Salud / Mexico