What's new this NEW YEAR!

It's hard to believe that it is already 2010! A NEW DECADE! Time sure flies when you're having fun and we certainly had our share of fun last year!

New year, new month...NEW COUNTRY OF THE MONTH! Thanks for learning about Thailand with us last month and we hope you are as excited as we are about our next featured country for January...NEW ZEALAND!

January also has much more in store for you: National Influenza Week. (yes it was originally scheduled for December 6-10, 2009, but it was rescheduled to Jan 10-16, 2010 due to the lack of vaccine available).

2009 was a scary/groundbreaking year for flu. H1N1 or Swine Flu made BIG news. While influenza is unpredictable, and while we do not know the likelihood of a future wave of H1N1 influenza, we do know that if more people are vaccinated, the disease is less likely to spread in the coming months.

Stay tuned for more flu news in the coming weeks and tomorrow...Let's plan a trip to New Zealand!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

China: Swine Flu!

Those of us in the northern hemisphere are lucky that we had a few months warning about the H1N1 Swine flu. Because we were able to observe the southern hemisphere's battle with the deadly virus that took the world by surprise, various drug companies have hopefully produced an effective vaccine to help us ride out the second wave of the Swine flu pandemic.

Here is a bit of information about what is happening with Swine Flu in China now.

Chinese health authorities have approved a vaccine that they say prevents swine flu with a single dose.

Chinese vaccine maker Sinovac has been given the green light to mass produce the vaccine for the H1N1 flu strain. more

In early results from human tests on one of its swine flu vaccine candidates, Novartis AG said one shot of its vaccine provided enough protection against the virus, as set out by criteria by U.S. and European drug regulators. more

Worldwide the race is on for pharmaceutical firms to produce vaccines against the H1N1 virus before winter arrives in the northern hemisphere, when experts warn the flu could spread further.

Sinovac is among the first companies in the world to start mass producing the vaccine and the company's CEO Yin Weidong said current planned annual production could be increased if necessary.

"We have already expanded capacity to 30 million doses a year. Now we have entered a phase of increased production. But if the needs of the government or other countries increases, we will think of some other methods to increase production," he told reporters.

Sinovac Biotech Ltd said it was the first company worldwide to complete clinical trials for a H1N1 vaccine and expects to begin supplying doses to the Chinese government for priority cases this month.

Looks like China is paving the way for the Swine Flu Vaccine. Though the news might, and most likely will, change tomorrow.

We know all this talk of the H1N1 and pandemic is probably scary for most to hear, but relax!! Even though there is no certainty of the vaccine's effectiveness or supply there are still very simple things you can do to prevent yourself from catching Swine flu:

Wash your hands!



Stay home when you are sick!



Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your arm (NOT your hand)!



GET YOUR SEASONAL FLU SHOT!!



Please share with us your thoughts and fears about the H1N1 Swine Flu outbreak. What are you doing to ensure your safety and the safety of those you love?

Greece: Travel Safely

Planning how to stay safe and secure while you travel is a very important part of your trip. Below I have included some information and a few tips on how to ensure you and your loved ones have an "incident-free" trip.

• The Greek Government has confirmed a number of cases of Swine Flu in Greece. Maintain the same precautions that you do anywhere else for this global pandemic. Practice good hygiene, wash your hands frequently with hot water and soap for at least 30 seconds, cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve, not your hands, stay home if you are feeling flu-like symptoms and avoid large crowds where others are symptomatic.

• If you need to contact the emergency services in Greece call 112.

• Around three million British people visit Greece (and its islands) every year (Source: Civil Aviation Authority). Most visits are trouble-free but you should maintain at least the same level of personal security awareness as you would in any other city.

• You should maintain high standards of public behavior in Greece. The Greek police will not accept rowdy or indecent behavior, especially where excessive alcohol consumption is involved. Greek courts impose heavy fines or prison sentences on people who behave indecently.

• Most visits to Greece are trouble-free, but you should be aware that the tourist season attracts an increase in incidents of theft of wallets, handbags etc. particularly in areas and events where crowds gather. You should leave valuables in safe custody at your hotel or apartment.

Keep these few tips in mind and have a wonderful trip! Have you ever been the victim of theft when traveling? What happened and what did you do?

Mexico: Take Care While Adventuring

There is plenty of adventure to be had in Mexico.

About an hour northwest of Monterrey, a craggy limestone outcrop named El Potrero Chico has been quietly attracting rock climbers from around the world. What makes the area unusual is the sheer variety of the 600-plus bolted routes — in which permanent artificial anchors are embedded in the rock — all within easy access of a campground and lodge at the base of the rock. Read more about El Potrero Chico.

If you are trained in climbing (and I don't recommend this climb if you are not) then you know how important it is to be safe while climbing. A single wrong move or slip can be the difference between a great day and a REALLY bad day! As you know, when you participate in any activity outdoors, you should be prepared with a few things at all times: sunscreen, insect repellent, first aid kit, drinking water, just to name a few. Have a safe climb.

If its not so much heights as it is depths that excites the adventurer within you then Mexico will not disappoint. Forty miles northwest of the party port of Cancún is little-known Isla Holbox (pronounced OLE-bosh), a narrow spit of white sand some 25 miles long and no more than two miles wide at its widest point, situated in the Gulf of Mexico. From June through September, the island’s offshore waters are the site of a large congregation of whale sharks, who come here to feed on seasonal plankton blooms. More on Isla Holbox.

If you come into contact with coral reefs while snorkeling there are a few safety tips to keep in mind.

• Coral is an animal that makes calcified outer skeletons which make sharp, jagged edges, so to prevent injury, avoid standing on reefs.
• Wearing reef shoes, gloves and a wet suit will better protect you.
• If injured, promptly scrub the coral cuts with soap and water and flush with copious amounts of water to remove any coral fragments.
• Rinsing with vinegar or rubbing alcohol may help relieve stinging.
• Seek medical attention immediately if the cut is large enough to require stitches.

You should make sure that your tetanus vaccination is up to date and it would be helpful to carry a wound care kit with you to help prevent infection.

Swine Flu death toll hits double digits in US

Swine Flu (H1N1) cases and deaths are on the rise. The US just hit a death toll in the double digits last night and panic is growing. We would like to take this opportunity to pinpoint a few facts about the Flu that most have overlooked.

1- Seasonal flu kills 36,000 people every year in the US.
2- 13,000 people have died from complications from seasonal flu already this year.
3- Approximately 85 people have died from complications from H1N1 (swine flu)
4- Seasonal Flu HAS A VACCINE!!!

Not to steal thunder away from H1N1 (swine) flu, but those in a panic about swine flu should also be aware that seasonal flu is much more deadly and much more prevalent. More importantly there is a VACCINE for seasonal flu (a new one each year). Passport Health has flu vaccine for seasonal flu available year round in most locations. Health officials are still deliberating about whether or not to make a separate Swine Flu vaccination, or to include it in with the seasonal flu vaccination.

Swine flu is not targeting the usual suspects (young children and the elderly). Instead it is hitting the middle aged group and younger. There have been deaths of people in their 20s and 30s! The key to this is that each victim of the Swine Flu has had other health problems underlying. Whether it be obesity, lung or heart disease, it is this type of person (one with an already weakened immune system) that is losing the battle with Swine Flu.

It has always been important to take care of yourself, eat right, exercise, don't smoke or drink alcohol in excess and get adequate rest at night. Until a vaccine is developed, the only thing that can save you from getting the swine flu is ensuring your immune system is as strong as it can be. Certain antiviral drugs (tamiflu, relenza) do help with fighting swine flu if you do fall ill, but those drugs may be in short supply and very difficult to get.

Pay attention, wash your hands, cover your coughs and take care of your body. Its the only one you'll get!

swine flu updates here

Mexico: Facts

• CDC is reporting 896 laboratory confirmed human infections with novel H1N1 flu in 41 states in the United States.

• While this virus has been reported in 23 other countries according to WHO, there is no evidence of sustained person-to-person transmission beyond two generations outside of North America.

Because the CDC and WHO are still recommending that travel to Mexico be minimized, we will enjoy learning about the country from home. Below are some basic facts about Mexico and some photos.

Population: 101,000,000
Capital City: Mexico City (337,000)
Official Language: Spanish
Languages Spoken: Spanish, Latin American Spanish, 62 indigenous languages, and English
Government: Federal Republic
Religion: 90% Roman Catholic, 6% Protestant, 4% other
Official Currency: Mexican Peso (MXN)
Land Area: 1,958,200 sq km
Latitude/Longitude: 19.2ºN, 99.1ºW
Highest Point: Volcan Pico de Orizaba 5,700 M
Bordering Body of Water - lies between the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico
Time Zone: GMT/UTC
Electricity: 127V 60HzHz
Country Dialing Code: 52
Major Industries: Food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, tourism

National Flag

Consists of three vertical bands



Coat of Arms

Land of the Eagle and the Snake


National Flower

Dahlia
(Dahlia spp.)

National Bird

Crested Caracara
(Caracara plancus)

National Sport

Soccer

National Tree

The cypress, known in Spanish as ahuehuete
(Taxodium mucronatum)

Mexico: Know when to go!

Mexico’s weather is enjoyable year-round, but October to May tend to be the most pleasant months to visit. From May to September Mexico’s weather is very hot and humid, particularly in southern Mexico. During the winter months, of December to February, inland Mexico weather temperatures can reach freezing. In general, visitors to Mexico can expect hot, humid weather along the coastal plains and drier temperatures at higher inland destinations such as Guadalajara and Mexico City, for example.

When planning a trip to Mexico please keep in mind that the peak travel periods are the week before Easter – which is referred to as Semana Santa – as well as the Christmas and New Year holiday travel periods. Travelers who are looking to avoid jam-packed locations should avoid Mexico's southern coast between July and September – which is peak season for North American student vacationers and peak holiday months for foreign visitors. Cancun is inundated with students on Spring Break during the months of February, March and early April. more

The U.S. reported yesterday the first death of a United States Citizen with H1N1 Influenza A. Officials say the female school teacher was in her early thirties and had several other threatening health problems. She did have the H1N1 virus, but health experts are hesitant to say that is why she died.

In spite of yesterday's reported death, health officials are saying the H1N1 virus is not as big a threat as originally perceived.

Exposures Not Thought to Spread New H1N1 Flu

Can I get infected with this new H1N1 virus from eating or preparing pork?

No. H1N1 viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get this new HIN1 virus from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

Is there a risk from drinking water?
Tap water that has been treated by conventional disinfection processes does not likely pose a risk for transmission of influenza viruses. Current drinking water treatment regulations provide a high degree of protection from viruses. No research has been completed on the susceptibility of the novel H1N1 flu virus to conventional drinking water treatment processes. However, recent studies have demonstrated that free chlorine levels typically used in drinking water treatment are adequate to inactivate highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza. It is likely that other influenza viruses such as novel H1N1 would also be similarly inactivated by chlorination. To date, there have been no documented human cases of influenza caused by exposure to influenza-contaminated drinking water.

Can H1N1 influenza virus be spread at recreational water venues outside of the water?
Yes, recreational water venues are no different than any other group setting. The spread of this novel H1N1 flu is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

more

H1N1 Influenza Virus Continues to Spread

The H1N1 flu virus (AKA: Swine Flu) is continuing its journey around the world. The CDC this morning confirmed that the virus is now present in 21 different countries claiming 984 confirmed cases of the virus.

On the bright side, there have been no more deaths associated with the H1N1 Influenza A virus other than the 25 deaths reported in Mexico, and the death of one Mexican toddler in Texas.

Several countries are taking extreme measures to prevent the spread of the H1N1 Influenza A virus. A Hong Kong hotel made the choice to quarantine all guests after 1 man at the hotel was diagnosed with H1N1 Influenza A. Officials in Egypt made the call to slaughter ALL pigs in the country, even though there have been no cases of the H1N1 Influenza A virus reported in the country.

The thought of a global pandemic does make many people uneasy and extra cautious in the wake of the Swine Flu spread. Hand sanitizer, tissues and antibacterial soaps are flying off the shelves at stores and children are yanked out of school at the mere mention of Swine Flu.

Wash your hands for at least 30 seconds (try singing Happy Birthday to mark the time) with warm water and soap, don't share drinks/food, cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue (then throw it away!) or the inside of your elbow and stay home from work and school if you are feeling any flu-like symptoms. Let us not forget that proper hygiene and smart thinking are the way that we as humans should always behave, not just during outbreaks.

Keep in mind that every year the seasonal flu kills 36,000 people in the United States alone.

Traveling to Mexico?

For the month of May we were going to explore Mexico and what makes it a great place to visit, however, the current outbreak of Swine Flu and CDC recommendations not to travel there have made it a little too risky.

So, if you WERE planning to travel to Mexico you probably are not any longer. That doesn't mean we can't bring Mexico to you!

So get ready for some fun... and you don't even have to worry about getting sunburned!

Swine Flu Pandemic Phase Increased to Level 5

The WHO increased the Pandemic Phase Level to a phase 5 on Wednesday, April 29, 2009. A phase 5 alert means there is sustained transmission among people in at least two countries. The WHO is coordinating the global response to human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) and monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic.

“Influenza pandemics must be taken seriously precisely because of their capacity to spread rapidly to every country in the world,” said Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General, “All countries should immediately activate their pandemic preparedness plans. Countries should remain on high alert for unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia.”

MSNBC explains what level 5 means for society by stating “The change to a level 5 alert has little meaning for people living in the U.S. This country is already doing almost everything possible to track the spread of the virus, treat the victims and try to develop a vaccine. This is much more of an alert to other countries to start their own preparations for when the virus arrives.” If a Phase 6 would be declared, it would mean a global epidemic of a new and deadly disease.

Those planning to follow through with travel plans should take extreme caution. Vice President Biden stated to reporters that he would not advise his own family to travel by plane or subway as the air circulates through the craft and spreads germs quickly. Non-essential travel should be avoided.

The United States Government has reported 91 laboratory confirmed human cases, with one death as of the end of the day on April 29, 2009. According to the CDC and USA Today, ten U.S. states that have confirmed cases of the swine virus which include Arizona, California, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New York, Ohio and Texas.

According to the Baltimore Sun, Maryland is reporting 6 likely cases in Anne Arundel and Baltimore Counties. Confirmation the illnesses are swine flu have yet to be confirmed by the CDC. All 6 people had links to people who have traveled to Mexico.

The Univeristy of Delaware has 10 probable cases of swine flu. It was reported yesterday that ten students were experiencing mild flu-like symptoms. The students have been tested for the swine flu virus and are awaiting results to confirm that it is in fact the virus.

According to the WHO, the following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (13), Germany (3), Israel (2), New Zealand (3), Spain (4) and the United Kingdom (5).

Swine Flu Claims first life in US

We are sad to hear that the US has had its first death attributed to Swine Flu, a 2 year old child in Texas.



You can find more information about the progression of Swine Flu here.

SWINE FLU OUTBREAK-Day 2

On day 2 of our coverage of the Swine Flu outbreak we, unfortunately, have to report that the number of cases has gone up. The confirmed Swine Flu cases now span 7 countries. The death toll in Mexico is upwards of 150! So far no deaths have been reported in any other country and health officials are investigating why the numbers are so much higher in Mexico. President Obama says this outbreak is cause for concern, but not alarm.



The WHO has raised the Pandemic alert level to 4 out of 6. All nonessential travel to Mexico is discouraged by the CDC. All those who MUST travel to Mexico, the CDC urges you to make sure you have antiviral medications like Tamiflu or Relenza. The prescription meds fight against swine flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in the body.

SWINE FLU OUTBREAK!

As luck (UN-luck is more like it) would have it there has been an outbreak of Swine Flu in Mexico, which is the country that you chose to hear about as our next featured "country of the month." We will post today with respect to the current outbreak of Swine Flu.

What the WHO is saying:
The World Health Organization has declared the swine flu outbreak in
North America a "public health emergency of international concern".
The decision means countries around the world will be asked to step up
reporting and surveillance of the disease implicated in dozens of
human deaths in Mexico and at least 40 non fatal cases in the USA. WHO
fears the outbreak could spread to other countries and is calling for
a coordinated response to contain it. more from WHO

What the CDC is saying:
CDC is working very closely with officials in states where human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) have been identified, as well as with health officials in Mexico, Canada and the World Health Organization. This includes deploying staff domestically and internationally to provide guidance and technical support. CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate this investigation. more from CDC

What Passport Health Suggests:
Use the common sense approach to avoiding swine flu:

• Practice good basic hygiene in daily life
• Avoid travel to regions where swine flu has been detected
• Avoid large crowds and leave crowds if you observe someone who is symptomatic
• If you are symptomatic, stay at home away from large crowds and your workplace
• The wearing of a surgical mask is recommended when in areas where the Swine Flu has been detected and when traveling on airplanes
• When you cough or sneeze, if you do not have a tissue available cough into your arm, not your hand. Use of hot water and soap and alcohol sanitizers are proven methods to avoid transmission of the virus.
• If you are traveling to flu endemic areas and it has been more than 3-4 months since your last flu shot – it is recommended that you receive an additional immunization to boost your immune system.

Visit Passport Health on the web at www.passporthealthusa.com for more information.

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