ExplorerGirls

So, here we go...the next biggest thing to bird flu is now taking over the press around the world.  But, before you begin to panic make sure to wade through the truths and untruths about what is going on.  There will always be people and publications working off our fear. 

There are things you can do to help prevent getting sick from any flu (see 7 tips for Swine Flue prevention). One being...washing your hands and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. 

Avoiding public places and traveling to the country of origin may also help.  But, it doesn't mean we have to stop living or traveling all together.  Just be aware of the symptoms and if you or anyone you know is feeling ill make sure to report it straight away.  

Some countries, including Australia, are well equipped with treatments and they are saying the earlier treated the better. For everything you need to know about the Swine Infuenze see the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Below is a report from the Travel Mole on the situation.  And, for some info about wearing face masks while traveling click here. 

And, no, you can't get it from eating pork!

Tourism industry under threat from spread of swine flu

SYDNEY – Airlines and sectors of the tourism industry are facing an anxious wait as the outbreak of the swine flu continues to spread

Overnight, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised its alert level over swine flu from three to four - two steps short of declaring a full pandemic.

WHO assistant director general Dr Keiji Fukuda said it signalled a "significant step towards pandemic influenza", but added, "we are not there yet".

WHO pointed out that it has not made any recommendations against travel during the swine flu outbreak,

"WHO did not recommend any travel restrictions, we need to be very clear on that," said Gregory Hartl, the organisation's spokesman in Geneva,

Mexico earlier said it believed 149 people had now died from the swine flu outbreak - only 20 cases are confirmed.

Other, milder, cases are confirmed in the US, Canada, Spain and Britain.

The US and Britain have warned against travelling to Mexico, while Australia updated its advice today, urging citizens to reconsider their need to travel to Mexico because of the flu outbreak.

Tests for the swine flu virus are being carried out on individuals or groups in New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, Israel and South Korea who fell ill following travel to Mexico.

A number of countries in Asia, Latin America and Europe have begun screening airport passengers for symptoms, while Germany's biggest tour operator, TUI, has suspended trips to Mexico City but is continuing with tours to the rest of the country.

In Thailand, three infrared sensors are now in use at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, one in Chiang Mai and another in Phuket.

India is screening travellers coming from the US, UK, Canada, Mexico, France and New Zealand, and advising Indians to avoid “non-essential travel'' to these flu-affected countries.

The rise in swine flu cases in Mexico, Canada and the US is set to deliver more worries to airlines, who have been hard hot by the economic meltdown.

Airline bosses are monitoring the situation but it’s unlikely that the impact of the swine flu outbreak will be seen for a couple of weeks.

One of the worst-affected routes to Australia could be the trans-Pacific from the US, on which Qantas is engaged in a price war with United Airlines and Virgin's Blue's long-haul carrier, V Australia.

More articles:

BigPond News: Australia

Times Online: USA

www.ExplorerGirls.com / Travel Mole