Information for Travelers

Know when you should avoid travel. If you are sick with symptoms of influenza-like illness, you should not travel. More…
Be prepared for health screenings at airports. Airport staff in some countries may check the health of arriving passengers. More…
You can prepare for travel by educating yourself about the outbreak situation and screening procedures in your destination country or countries. More…
Know what to do during and after your trip. During your trip, follow local guidelines and practice healthy habits. More…

When Should I Avoid Travel?

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.
Stay home if you are sick until at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100°F or 37.8°C) or signs of a fever (without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol®). Read detailed information about how long to stay away from others. Listen to a travelers’ podcast from CDC

Health Screenings at Airports

Due to the outbreak of H1N1 (Swine) flu occurring in the United States and many other countries, airport staff in some countries may check the health of arriving passengers. Travelers from the United States arriving in other countries may be checked for fever and other symptoms of H1N1 flu, and their travel may be delayed.

When you travel internationally from the United States, officials in other countries may ask you 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
Review information about the symptoms of H1N1 flu
Give your address, phone number, and other contact information
Be quarantined for a period of time if a passenger on your flight is found to have symptoms of H1N1 flu
Contact health authorities in the country you are visiting to let them know if you become ill

If you have a fever or respiratory symptoms or are suspected to have H1N1 flu based on screening, you may be asked to:

Be isolated from other people until you are well
Have a medical examination
Take a rapid flu test (which consists of a nasal swab sample)
Be hospitalized and given medical treatment, if you test positive for H1N1 flu

Please note that the U.S. Department of State usually cannot interfere with the rights of other countries to screen airline passengers entering or exiting their countries, nor can it influence the number of days in quarantine.
Many countries, including Japan and China, are screening arriving passengers for illness due to H1N1 flu. These health screenings are being used to reduce the spread of H1N1 flu.

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Travel Preparation

Travel safely

To help travelers avoid the flu during the 2009-2010 flu season, CDC has launched its largest ever public awareness campaign about staying healthy while traveling. Check out these campaign materials for some simple steps you can take to help make sure you stay healthy on your next trip!

Be aware of outbreak information in your destination country: H1N1 flu cases have been reported in many countries around the world, with most of the cases being reported from the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

For the most up-to-date information about case numbers and where they are occurring, visit the following Web sites:

United States: Flu.gov
Mexico: Secretaria de Salud / Secretary of Health, Mexico (Webpage in Spanish)
Canada: Public Health Agency of Canada Surveillance—Cases of H1N1 (Swine) Flu Virus in Canada
Other country case numbers: World Health Organization Influenza A (H1N1) Web site and Pan American Health Organization

Consult the embassy of your destination country: For International travel, consult the embassy of the country, or countries, in your travel itinerary for information about entry screening procedures (see Web sites of U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions for contact information).
Get Vaccinated: Be sure you are up-to-date with all your routine vaccinations. Get the seasonal influenza vaccine, when available in early fall. Get the H1N1 flu vaccine as soon as possible. Use our Flu Shot Locator to get vaccinated where you live. More on vaccinations

Seasonal Nasal (LAIV)
Seasonal Flu Shot
H1N1 Nasal (LAIV)

Minimum two weeks between vaccinations
May be given in same visit.
H1N1 Flu Shot

May be given in same visit.
May be given in same visit.
Pack a travel health kit that contains basic first aid and medical supplies.

Find out if your health insurance plan will cover medical care during your trip; many insurance companies do NOT cover these costs.

CDC recommends purchasing additional insurance that covers medical care costs during international travel and medical evacuation.
For more information, see Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad from the U.S. Department of State.
Remember that U.S. embassies, consulates and military facilities do not evacuate or give medications, vaccines, or medical care to private U.S. citizens during international travel

Consider purchasing travel insurance: Because these outbreak-related delays, which could include several days of quarantine, may affect planned activities and lead to unexpected costs, CDC strongly recommends that travelers consider purchasing travel insurance. To find a list of possible travel health and medical evacuation insurance companies, visit Medical Information for Americans Abroad (U.S. Department of State).
Additional Travel Resources:
CDC: Visit the CDC Travelers Health Map.
Select from a list of regions.

US Department of State: Fact Sheet: 2009-H1N1 (Swine) Flu, Pandemic Influenza, and H5N1

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During and After Your Trip

During your trip, follow local guidelines and practice healthy habits

Pay attention to announcements from the local government and monitor the local health and security situation.
Follow any movement restrictions and prevention recommendations.
Wash your hands often with soap and running water, especially after coughing or sneezing. (Use alcohol-based hand gels -- containing at least 60% alcohol -- when soap is not available and hands are not visibly dirty.)
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and put your used tissue in the trash. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
Avoid close contact with sick people.

What to do if you feel sick

It is expected that most people will recover without needing medical care. If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, seek medical care.
A U.S. consular officer can help you find local medical care in a foreign country. To contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country you are visiting, call Overseas Citizens Services at:
1-888-407-4747 if calling from the U.S. or Canada,
00-1-202-501-4444 if calling from other countries, or
Visit Web sites of U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Mission to find the contact information for the local U.S. Embassy of the country you are visiting.
Follow all local health recommendations. For example, if you are sick, you may be asked to put on a surgical mask to protect others or to stay in your home or hotel to prevent the spread of H1N1 flu.

Tips for After Your Trip
Closely monitor your health for 7 days.
If you become ill with fever and other symptoms of H1N1 flu such as a cough, sore throat, and possibly vomiting and diarrhea, seek medical attention if symptoms are severe.

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