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— The swine flu outbreak has officials in North America and around the world on their toes as they attempt to stem the disease’s transfer and impact. Airports, airlines and agencies are taking preventative measures and monitoring the traveling public for signs and symptoms.
In response to reports of more than 150 deaths in Mexico and, according to the World Health Organization, more than 100 confirmed cases in the U.S. and elsewhere with more likely to follow, the U.S. government has taken the precautionary measure of declaring a public health emergency.
The State Department on late Monday warned U.S. citizens to avoid nonessential travel to Mexico and those who live in Mexico to avoid hospitals or clinics there unless they have a medical emergency.
Cuba on Tuesday suspended flights to and from Mexico as a precaution against the spread of swine flu. The 48-hour suspension makes Cuba the first country to halt air travel with Mexico. Later in the day, Argentina announced a five-day ban on flights arriving from Mexico.
Canada, Israel and France warned citizens to avoid nonessential travel to Mexico, as well.
Cruise lines Carnival and Royal Caribbean, as well as other tour operators, are skipping scheduled stops in Mexico and Australian airports will not allow planes from North America or South America to land unless the pilot radios ahead with information about the health status of all passengers.
That means travelers heading to or from Mexico and elsewhere will need to keep up-to-date on the latest travel advisories and consider whether or not they want to change plans.
Travel agents are being inundated with calls and cancellations. Albert Ko and some friends have already scrapped plans for a June trip to Cabo San Lucas, but Michel Moore and her boyfriend are determined to go to Puerto Vallarta on May 10. “We’re both in our late 20s and considerably healthy, so we’re not overly concerned with the consequences of getting ill. My only fear is that our trip, which has been arranged since February, will be canceled at the last minute due to health concerns at the border.”
What do travelers need to know?
Specific travel advice related to swine flu is fluid and will no doubt change over coming hours, days and weeks.
For now it’s a good idea to monitor the health information and updates posted on the Web sites of CDC and the World Health Organization.
International SOS, a travel medical-assistance firm, has also created a very useful and easy-to-maneuver site specifically on this topic.
Dr. Myles Druckman, a disease and pandemic expert who works with International SOS, notes the risk of falling ill in Mexico is relatively low, but warns of delays for traveling from Mexico and other countries back to the U.S., especially if the situation intensifies.
For the time being, Druckman advises leisure travelers to have a plan in place before making trips to Mexico and to add items such as surgical masks, over-the-counter cold and flu medications and extra supplies of regular prescription medications to your first aid kit. “You would be kicking yourself if you said, ‘Heck, I’m going to go,’ and then things escalate and you’re stuck there.”
Airports and airlines taking action
Airports and airlines are also implementing precautionary measures.
At Denver International, spokesperson Chuck Cannon said: “If there is advance word of an incoming flight from Mexico with a possibly infected person aboard, the plane will be held away from the gate until Denver Health paramedics can meet the flight, examine the passenger and determine the next course of action.”
On Saturday, San Diego International began working with the San Diego County Department of Health & Human Services to put posters throughout the terminals with messages about the importance of good hygiene, including covering up coughs and washing hands.
At Los Angeles World Airports, which operates Los Angeles International and L.A./Ontario International, spokesperson Nancy Suey Castles said “nearly 200 dispensers of hand sanitizers were installed on the walls and on counters in the customs arrivals halls in the five terminals where we have international receiving flights, but we receive Mexico flights in only three of the five terminals.”
At Sacramento International, spokesperson Gina Swankie said the custodial staff has been urged to wear masks when cleaning areas in the International Building and the airport is stepping up the frequency of when it changes the air filters. “We have additional masks that can be made available should the need arrive and have a Pandemic Action Plan in place to be implemented if and when the need arises,” she said.
Over the weekend, most U.S., Canadian and Mexican carriers — including American, Continental, United, US Airways, Delta, Air Canada and Aeromexico — posted notices on their Web sites waiving change fees for travelers with scheduled flights to or from Mexico for at least the next week.
American Airlines’ Mexico Travel Policy, for example, will allow changes to tickets for travel to or from Mexico through May 6 and is allowing travelers to change their destination as well. As of Monday, airline spokesperson Andrea Huguely says, the airline has not canceled any flights relating the swine flu alerts, “nor has any agency asked us to do so.”
US Airways updated its change policies for travel to and from Mexico, according to spokesperson Valerie Wunder. “We’ve extended the date range for changes through May 8th.” Passengers can now move their itinerary up to 14 days before or after the scheduled origination date.
A lternatively, travelers can put the full value of the ticket toward a ticket for a new destination, provided they set out for that new destination within seven days of the scheduled origination date.
US Airways hasn’t canceled any flights, but Wunder said crew members are taking extra precautions, including wearing rubber gloves and using hand sanitizers during meal and beverage service.
AirTran Airways will waive change fees for passengers who wish to alter their travel scheduled to or from Cancun through May 4.
The carrier is urging those flying to be safe, “reminding both crew members and passengers that good sanitary practices are the best way to avoid getting any type of flu,” said spokesperson Christopher White.
Alaska Airlines spokesperson Bobbie Egan said Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, which operates 16 flights a day to Mexico, are offering to waive change fees for passengers with tickets anywhere in Mexico through May 20. In addition, “passengers who wish to keep their travel dates, but rebook to another destination, will not be charged a change fee, just the difference in fare.” The same policy applies travelers who wish to reschedule travel for after May 20.
In response to calls and customer concerns, Continental Airlines is allowing customers to re-schedule or re-route travel without penalty if they are ticketed for travel between April 24 and May 6, to or from all cities in Mexico.
On its Web site, AeroMexico is reassuring passengers that flight and ground crews must be in good health to be on duty, that food served onboard is being prepared under strict sanitary controls and that the air conditioning systems on its planes continually change the interior air by drawing in clean air. The airline is also asking passengers to fill out forms about any influenza symptoms before passing through airport security and is working with medical specialists in the airport “who are providing authorizations for boarding as needed.”
Act now or wait?
For now, all travelers with scheduled trips to Mexico and other destinations are urged to keep an eye on the news and check with their airlines, travel agents and hotels for policies on changes or cancellations to existing reservations.
Nicole Angerone and her fiancé are determined not to cancel their July honeymoon to a resort on Playa del Carmen, about 30 minutes from Cancun. “My fiancé is extremely worried about the trip and thinks we'll come back with swine flu. Both of our parents are urging us not to go. But we’re still going on our trip because we’ve been told by our travel agency that if we do cancel, we would lose all of our money.”
It’s a similar story for Cybil New and her husband, who are planning to travel to Riviera Maya, Mexico, with several family members for a wedding in early June. “The trip is already paid in full. As of today, all plans are still on. We did purchase travel insurance when we booked our trip so if we have to cancel we won't be out too much money.”
