Health and Safety Announcements

AustraLearn/AsiaLearn/EuroLearn: Educational Programs of GlobaLinks Learning Abroad
Response and Policy Update as of August 2009

We are monitoring the information regarding the H1N1 (Swine) Flu. We will continue to review the advice presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as travel advisories / warnings provided by the U.S. Department of State and other government organizations.

We are committed to providing information to our students about this critical health issue. Currently there are no changes to our operations or programs as a result of the H1N1 (swine) Flu. Our emergency plan is in place for our programs abroad and we will make adjustments to our programs, as appropriate.

The best thing to do at this time is to stay informed as events develop and to know where to go for information.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
World Health Organizations
U.S. Department of State
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada

HTH Worldwide - News and Resource Information

Additional Resource:
NAFSA: Association of International Educators

Announcement - June 12, 2009

From the CDC
A Pandemic Is Declared
On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. A Phase 6 designation indicates that a global pandemic is underway.

More than 70 countries are now reporting cases of human infection with novel H1N1 flu. This number has been increasing over the past few weeks, but many of the cases reportedly had links to travel or were localized outbreaks without community spread. The WHO designation of a pandemic alert Phase 6 reflects the fact that there are now ongoing community level outbreaks in multiple parts of world.

WHO’s decision to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6 is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus.

From WHO
What is phase 6?
Updated 11 June 2009

What is phase 6?
Phase 6 is a pandemic, according to the WHO definition.

At this time, WHO considers the overall severity of the influenza pandemic to be moderate. This assessment is based on scientific evidence available to WHO, as well as input from its Member States on the pandemic's impact on their health systems, and their social and economic functioning.

The moderate assessment reflects that:

1. Most people recover from infection without the need for hospitalization or medical care.
2. Overall, national levels of severe illness from influenza A(H1N1) appear similar to levels seen during local seasonal influenza periods, although high levels of disease have occurred in some local areas and institutions.
3. Overall, hospitals and health care systems in most countries have been able to cope with the numbers of people seeking care, although some facilities and systems have been stressed in some localities.

WHO is concerned about current patterns of serious cases and deaths that are occurring primarily among young persons, including the previously healthy and those with pre-existing medical conditions or pregnancy.
Large outbreaks of disease have not yet been reported in many countries, and the full clinical spectrum of disease is not yet known.

Does WHO expect the severity of the pandemic to change over time?

The severity of pandemics can change over time and differ by location or population.

Close monitoring of the disease and timely and regular sharing of information between WHO and its Member States during the pandemic period is essential for evaluating future severity assessments, if needed.

Future severity assessments would reflect one or a combination of the following factors:

• changes in the virus,
• underlying vulnerabilities, or
• limitations in health system capacities.

The pandemic is early in its evolution and many countries have not yet been substantially affected. 
 

Announcement - May 14, 2009

From the CDC

Possible International Travel Delays Due to Novel H1N1 Flu Screening Procedures
This information is current as of today, May 14, 2009 at 17:29 EDT
Released: May 13, 2009

Current Situation
Due to the outbreak of novel H1N1 flu occurring in the United States and many other countries, airport staff in some countries may check the health of arriving passengers. Many countries, including Japan and China, are screening arriving passengers for illness due to novel H1N1 flu. These health screenings are being used to prevent the spread of novel H1N1 flu.

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.

Travelers should be aware that since the novel H1N1 flu outbreak is occurring in the United States, flights from the United States arriving in other countries may be specifically targeted for screening. United States travelers may be checked for fever and other symptoms of novel H1N1 flu and their travel may be delayed.

If you travel internationally from the United States, you may be asked 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 
• Be quarantined for a period of time if a passenger on your flight is found to have symptoms of novel H1N1 flu 
•  And, if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms, you may be asked to:
  - Have a medical examination
  - Take a rapid flu test which consists of a nasal swab sample
  - Be isolated if you are showing signs of respiratory illness consistent with novel H1N1 flu

CDC strongly encourages all passengers to cooperate with these procedures. Please note that the U.S. Department of State usually cannot interfere with the right of other countries to screen airline passengers entering or exiting their countries. Please consult the embassy of the country you will be traveling to for further information about entry screening procedures (see Websites of U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions for contact information)

To view this actual announcement on the CDC website click here.

Announcement - May 12, 2009

Several countries are implementing new border entry procedures in response to the reported cases of H1N1 Flu. North America is considered an affected area, so travelers from the USA and Canada should expect additional screening procedures and delays upon arrival in your host country. These precautions are meant to reduce the spread of infection and ensure that you are healthy upon arrival. In general, travelers from North America may be required to complete an additional health declaration form and pass through a thermal-scanning checkpoint. Travelers found to have a fever and/or other flu-like symptoms may be detained for further assessment, examination and or quarantine. Because of these measures, processing of arriving passengers may take longer than usual.

When preparing to travel, you may want to take a few extra precautionary steps:

• Monitor your temperature and health at home prior to departure to ensure that they do not have signs of the flu before embarking on the flight overseas
• Avoid unnecessary travel prior to departing overseas (stay close to home, avoid crowds, keep hands washed)
• Wear a mask on the flight to reduce exposure to infection 

Announcement - April 27, 2009:

There have been human cases of Swine Flu identified in Mexico, the U.S.A. and Canada and to offer advice for ways to stay healthy. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is actively investigating isolated human cases of Swine Influenza A (H1N1) in several states and is working closely with Canada and Mexico and with the World Health Organization. Additional cases are suspected in Canada, New Zealand, Scotland, Israel, France, Brazil, Switzerland, Sweden and Spain.

It is important to keep yourself informed about health issues and to follow the guidelines for staying healthy. Information has been provided below from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) websites.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - Information about Swine Flu
World Health Organization (WHO) - Information about Swine Flu

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy
There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy. 

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
• Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
• Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
• Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. 

WHO – Prevention

• cover the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing;
• use paper tissues to contain respiratory secretions and dispose of them in the nearest waste receptacle after use; and
• wash hands after having contact with respiratory secretions and contaminated objects or materials.