Although the initial furor over H1N1 influenza has died down, the disease itself has not. Mexico, China and Japan are just a few of the countries that screen international visitors for symptoms of swine flu, now officially called "novel H1N1 flu." In May 2009, China began imposing quarantines on travelers who arrived with symptoms of novel H1N1 flu, including low-grade fevers, runny noses and coughs. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and media reports, some visitors were quarantined because they had arrived on airplanes with passengers who exhibited swine flu symptoms, even though the travelers themselves were not ill.
On July 14, 2009, the CDC announced that it was strongly recommending that international travelers consider purchasing travel insurance to help defray the costs of a possible quarantine and related travel delays. The CDC also stated, "Please note that the U.S. Department of State usually cannot interfere with the rights of other countries to screen airline passengers entering or exiting their countries, nor can it influence the number of days in quarantine." In other words, if you're quarantined, the State Department cannot help you.
Planning ahead for a possible quarantine is a good idea, particularly if you plan to travel abroad in the fall and winter months, the traditional "flu season." Here are some things to consider as you plan your next trip.
- Consider - and Reconsider - Your Destination. If you're planning a trip to China but have not paid a deposit, take a second look at your plans. If you arrive in China with a runny nose and fever, you run a high risk of being quarantined while medical professionals test you for novel H1N1 flu. You could spend several days of your trip sitting alone in a hospital room. Japan has also quarantined travelers suspected of having novel H1N1 flu.
- Do Your Homework. Find out whether your airline or your destination country is screening incoming passengers for novel H1N1 flu. If you habitually run a low-grade fever (over 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit), get a doctor's note to this effect. Check news reports and official websites for the latest information on your destination country.
- Get Travel Insurance. Because novel H1N1 flu is a well-known event, most insurance providers will not cover cancellations unless you buy "cancel for any reason" coverage. Buying "cancel for any reason" insurance will protect you if you get sick before you travel and have to postpone your trip. Trip interruption protection may protect you against quarantine-related delays – except in China, where quarantines are now a well-known event (that's insurance-speak for "it's likely to happen, so we don't want to cover it").
- Register Your Trip. You can do this on the U.S. Department of State website. Registering will give the State Department a way to contact you with important information.
- Plan for Possible Quarantine. Both Japan and China have imposed quarantines on arriving passengers, so if your itinerary includes either country, bring items you might want in quarantine with you. Write down contact information for your family, insurance company, doctor and embassy or consulate. Pack a small phrasebook; not all medical personnel will speak your native language. Bring a book or craft project in case you need something to do while quarantined.
- Postpone Travel if You Get Sick. Even a cold will trigger a flu screening in some countries. Do you really want to spend your vacation in quarantine?
