INFORMED TRAVEL THE BEST ACTION
Today, global travel is commonplace and large numbers of people move around the world for business and leisure. Limiting travel and imposing travel restrictions would have very little effect on stopping the spread of the influenza A(H1N1) virus, but would be highly disruptive to the global community, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
An effective way travelers can protect themselves and others is by continuing to follow simple prevention practices that apply while travelling and in daily life. Regular hand-washing, normal cough etiquette, avoiding contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections, these are a few of the steps travelers can take.
The WHO is not recommending travel restrictions. While the WHO pandemic alert is currently at phase 5, this designation is based on the geographic spread of the virus and not on its severity which, so far, has fortunately been quite mild for most of those affected.
Above all, travelers should stay informed. They should check regularly with www.SOS.travel or other reliable resources for the latest updates and information issued by health and travel professionals as the situation evolves.
Through its Tourism Emergency Response Network (TERN), the worldwide travel community is working closely with WHO and sharing views on a regular basis. This ensures that the special situation of travelers is taken fully into account by WHO and that the industry is able to provide the best and most accurate advice to travelers.
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The Tourism Emergency Response Network (TERN) is a coalition of leading associations representing key sectors of worldwide tourism. TERN was launched in 2006 as a response mechanism for the potential evolution of the H5N1 Avian and Human Influenza to a pandemic form. It has since broadened to address other natural and man-made crisis issues. This “network of networks“ is structured to facilitate collaboration and cooperation amongst decision makers and key stakeholders in tourism in the event of unforeseen and unpredictable events with potentially significant impact on tourism and the world community.