H1N1 Flu: Resources For International Educators

This page provides links to resources on the evolving impact of H1N1 influenza A ("swine" flu) on international education activities.

School Planning Resources from Flu.gov


The World Health Organization (WHO) monitors the H1N1 situation worldwide. On June 11, 2009, WHO raised the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 5 to phase 6.

Travel to and Within the United States

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) monitors the H1N1 situation in the United States. According to the CDC Web site, CDC has not recommended that people avoid domestic travel, but it does have recommendations on reducing risk of infection and staying healthy.

Health Screening and Quarantine Measures in Other Countries

Some countries have instituted health screening and quarantine measures that may impact travel and flight plans of travelers coming from the United States. Airline Web sites (for example Japan's All Nippon Airways Web site) often have up-to-date information on such procedures. The Warden Messages posted on Embassy and Consular Web sites are also a good source of information for what individual countries may be doing in response to the H1N1 flu. For example, Warden Messages at U.S. consular offices in Hong Kong and China describe Health and Quarantine measures that the Chinese government is taking, including completing a health declaration card and passing through thermal-scanning (body temperature) checkpoints. Find U.S. embassy Web sites worldwide at www.usembassy.gov.

Background

On April 26, 2009, the Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)made a public health emergency declaration, in response to recent human infections with H1N1 influenza A. The HHS press release describes such declarations as "a tool that facilitates HHS' preparation and mobilization for disasters and emergencies. For example, PHEs were recently declared for flooding in North Dakota, the Inauguration, and several 2008 hurricanes." In a DHS press briefing, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated, "This is standard operating procedure and allows us to free up federal, state, and local agencies and their resources for prevention and mitigation; it allows us to use medication and diagnostic tests that we might not otherwise be able to use, Also see additional particularly on very young children; and it releases funds for the acquisition of additional antivirals."