Swine flu outbreak
The number of confirmed cases of Swine Flu (H1N1) across the world continues to grow. The World Health Organisation's current pandemic alert level is Phase 6. This is characterised by human-to-human spread of the A(H1N1) Swine Flu virus in more than one WHO region. The alert phase refers to the geographical spread of the pandemic, not its severity.
About to travel overseas?
In some instances Swine flu might affect your travel plans, you should therefore consult the travel advice for the country concerned; it would also be wise to subscribe to email alerts that will notify you of any changes before you travel. If you are overseas and are seeking specific advice on the country in which you are located you should also consult our travel advice.
Medical screening for swine flu has been introduced by local authorities at some airports for passengers arriving on international flights. You may be required to undergo further tests if you show flu-like symptoms. Containment measures may be introduced or changed with little or no notice.
Some countries have put quarantine measures in place for people travelling from affected countries, or in one case at a hotel where an infected person had been staying. British nationals who find themselves quarantined overseas should contact their nearest British Embassy/High Commission/Consulate who will be able to offer consular assistance, though access may be limited due to the quarantine restrictions.
Advice for travellers
Before you travel
- If you have swine flu, do not travel until you are no longer showing symptoms [opens in a new window].
- Check to see if your destination is reporting cases of swine flu. You can look on the NaTHNaC website for up-to-date case totals [opens in a new window].
- Stock up on waterless alcohol-based hand gels.
- You should also consider:
- whether you need to go to a swine flu affected area
- the risk of getting swine flu at your destination
- the level of medical care including access to anti-viral medications in the event you need treatment for an influenza-like illness (fever plus two or more of cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches or headache).
- You should receive appropriate vaccines and other preventive measures for your destination. This includes seasonal influenza vaccine if you come under the recommended risk groups (see NaTHNaC Health Information Sheet on Influenza [opens in a new window])
- You should obtain comprehensive travel health insurance, and clarify any exclusions to coverage
- You should also check the policy of your carrier or tour operator on transporting people who are ill, or who have been exposed to or diagnosed with the A(H1N1) swine flu virus.
During travel
Influenza is transmitted via the respiratory route and you should exercise sensible precautions:
- Follow public health guidance at your destination.
- Avoid crowding or mass gatherings.
- Where possible avoid close contact with persons who are ill with an flu-like illness.
- Wash hands with soap and water; use waterless alcohol-based hand gels when soap and water is not available.
- Avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes, to prevent the spread of germs.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and dispose of the tissue promptly.
- Keep hard surfaces (e.g. door handles, countertops) clean using a normal cleaning solution.
- Ensure that children follow similar advice.
- Swine flu has not been shown to be transmissible to people through eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products.
- There is little evidence of the effectiveness of wearing masks, However, properly fitted special grade masks can be worn in situations such as healthcare settings.
- If you fall ill whilst overseas (especially with flu-like symptoms) you should seek medical assistance. Where possible the British Embassy/High Commission/Consulate should be able to provide British nationals with details of English-speaking doctors and information on the local availability of anti-virals.
After you travel
Travellers who have visited affected areas should monitor their health for seven days after the visit. If you develop a flu-like illness with cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache or muscle aches, within seven days you should:
- check your symptoms [opens in a new window] via the direct.gov.uk website [opens in a new window] or via the relevant telephone helpline
- limit contact with other people
- cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and dispose of the tissue promptly
- wash hands with soap and water
- keep hard surfaces (e.g. door handles, countertops) clean using a normal cleaning solution.
How we can help
We are working closely with the Department of Health and other areas of HM Government. We have provided a dedicated free phone number for all British nationals overseas to call if they are concerned about the current swine flu outbreak: +44 207 928 1010.
As far as possible, we will continue to deliver a consular service for British nationals resident or travelling overseas through our network of Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates, although there may be a limited service in some places affected by swine flu, depending on the scale and severity of the outbreak. Any change to the level of service we can provide, will be reflected in our travel advice for that country.
Staff in our Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates may not be able to make personal visits to those infected with swine flu, nor can we provide any medical treatment (including anti-virals).
Where possible and practical our Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates have been asked to update their own websites with swine flu related advice and guidance.
If you are living or are travelling overseas, please register on LOCATE so that we will be able to keep you informed of any significant changes in our travel advice.
British nationals overseas
If you live in a country affected by swine flu, you should monitor our travel advice and, as with other medical matters, assure yourself of your own healthcare arrangements. This might include obtaining access to anti-viral medicine. If you have any concerns over your own health, you should seek medical advice.
British nationals working overseas should speak to their employers about plans they have in place. Such plans may include access to anti-viral treatment for employees and/or repatriation to the UK.
The British Government will not be in the position to offer evacuation of British nationals in the event of an influenza pandemic.
Many countries may have limited availability of anti-viral drugs. Our Embassy/High Commission/Consulate staff may be able to provide advice on the availability of local medicines or healthcare, but we cannot provide medical treatment (including anti-viral medication).
The UK Response
The Department of Health website gives further information on what the UK is doing in response to the outbreak. For guidance specific to the UK, more information is available from the Directgov website.
- NHS Choices offers health advice
- National Pandemic Flu Service website offers an online assessment and treatment tool for patients in England.
- Health Protection Agency has advice on measures which can be taken to prevent infection. General infection control practices and good respiratory hand hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including the human swine influenza.
General information
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is coordinating the global response to human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) and monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic. Comprehensive advice and information on the current situation can be found on the WHO website.
More information is available from:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, H1N1 Flu (Swine flu)
NaTHNaC Country Information pages
Embassy message to UK nationals in Jordan on Swine Flu
You may already be following in the news the recent outbreak of swine flu in Mexico and its spread to other countries which now includes one confirmed case in Israel. On the 29th April the World Health Organisation raised the alert to level 5. This is one short of a full blown global pandemic. The aim of this email is to point you in the right direction for information on swine flu as well as set out what your embassy will and will not be able to do in the event of a pandemic. We recognise that it may be more difficult for British nationals living overseas to access information about the virus and the possibility of a future pandemic.
In the event of a pandemic, the virus would spread very rapidly, affecting all countries within a matter of weeks. Given the likely disruption to transport, healthcare services (including the NHS in the UK) and other local services the level of consular assistance and the visa service which we can provide might be significantly reduced, not least because some of our own staff may be ill. In certain circumstances we may even have to close the Embassy temporarily to prevent the spread of infection. However I'd like to point out that we would stay open as long as possible in the event of any outbreak.
We have put in place a swine flu contingency plan for the Embassy so that we can try to maintain a basic consular service if necessary which would include regular updates to the Embassy website and travel advice.
I would especially like to draw to your attention the publication "Support for British Nationals abroad" available here. You will note that in the event of a pandemic, we have concluded that given the potential number of British nationals involved we will be unable to offer repatriation.
We will also not be able to offer diagnosis or medical treatment. This, rightly, should be the duty of your usual healthcare provider. It would be sensible for you to consider therefore whether you have access to anti-viral drugs and appropriate medical facilities should a pandemic occur.
British nationals working overseas should speak to their employers if not already done so about the contingency plans they have in place for a flu pandemic. Such plans may include access to antiviral treatment for employees and/or repatriation to the UK.
I suggest you visit the Department of Health website which contains useful advice on how to check for the symptoms of swine flue. Further information can also be found on the website of the World Health Organisation which gives further information on swine flu and regular situation updates.
Finally please also remember to check the FCO Website it provides useful information on how to try and prevent infection if swine flu does spread to Jordan, and has a dedicated swine flu page.
I hope you will have found the above information of use, if you wish to get in touch with us the email address is consamman@fco.gov.uk
Paul Kett
Head of Consular Services - Amman
