U-M Guidance Regarding Travel to Southern Hemisphere and Tamiflu

May 8, 2009

With the outbreak of H1N1 swine flu, Dr. Robert Winfield, the University of Michigan's Chief Health Officer, and the medical and public health specialists of the University's Infectious Hazards Planning Group are recommending that students, faculty and staff traveling this summer to countries in the southern hemisphere take special precautions.

While the H1N1 flu virus now seems to be relatively mild, and no worse than a normal seasonal flu, it appears likely that it will continue to spread globally. Continued transmission may be more likely to occur in the southern hemisphere, where the normal flu season is about to begin. How quickly and where it will spread are impossible to predict.

As a reasonable precaution, persons traveling to certain countries in the southern hemisphere in which health care systems may be less likely to have the resources to respond to an H1N1 flu outbreak are advised to consider bringing with them a 5-day supply of the oral antiviral medication Tamiflu, which has shown to be highly effective in lessening the symptoms of the new H1N1 flu.

This precaution is particularly important for people age 65 years and older, children younger than 5 years old, pregnant women, people of any age with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), and people who are immunosuppressed (e.g., taking immunosuppressive medications, infected with HIV).

Travelers should seek a Tamiflu prescription from their own physician and fill it before departure. As part of an office visit, students can also discuss with a UHS doctor or nurse whether to bring Tamiflu on a trip overseas. It is recommended that Tamiflu be taken only with the onset of flu-like symptoms, and not as a prophylactic. Travelers should familiarize themselves with flu symptoms, which are similar to those of seasonal flu and include fever of 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C) or higher, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this new H1N1 virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

Travelers who believe they are developing flu symptoms should contact a local physician, if possible, or contact their physician via e-mail or telephone, who can give advice. Persons should strictly follow directions for taking Tamiflu.

All travelers are also strongly urged to buy University-sponsored HTH Worldwide travel insurance http://www.uhs.umich.edu/tai). Persons who have already left the US may purchase this low-cost insurance for the remainder of their journeys. HTH Worldwide has the capacity to deliver Tamiflu as needed to insured travelers if ill. Travelers are urged to stay informed of local health conditions, and to be vigilant for flu in the country or region where they are traveling.

For questions, please e-mail FluTravel@umich.edu. A travel related FAQ can be found at: http://www.umich.edu/flu-travel.php.