Swine Flu (H1N1) Update from WYSETC

As a member of the World Youth Student & Educational Travel Confederation, goAUPAIR periodically receives critical updates regarding travel and international affairs. The WYSE Travel Confederation works with its members, sector associations and partners around the globe to:

• Promote the personal, social, economic and cultural benefits of youth travel, student travel and international education
• Support the development and success of student and youth travel specialists, and the critical role they play in a multi billion Euro global niche industry.
• Develop innovative travel and educational products & services for youth and students, such as the International Student Identity Card (ISIC), language study programmes, and work abroad experiences
• Provide trading, networking and knowledge-sharing platforms

As the H1N1 Virus is still a major concern for individuals across the globe, we wanted to share the following facts from the latest email from WYSETC.

Key facts:

1. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the virus will continue to spread globally in its current form – it is a mild influenza that has a very low fatality rate. The virus has caused severe and fatal illness in young and healthy people – but the number of such cases remains extremely small.

2. At this time the WHO reports that there are no variations of the virus reported.  No cases of a more serious virus have been detected and WHO continues to advise against any travel restrictions.     

3. Governments around the world are continuing their vigilance and planning in the event of a possibility of a stronger strain of the virus and/or a ‘second wave’ involving much higher infection rates amongst the population in the coming months.

4. In preparedness for a so called ‘second wave’ of the H1N1 pandemic, coinciding with the beginning of the flu season in the northern hemisphere, UNWTO held a two day review and preparation workshop in Madrid last week on ‘Travel and Tourism under Pandemic Conditions’.

5. The WHO confirmed that in tropical climates, where the virus had arrived later, authorities needed to prepare for a rise in the number of cases.

6. UNWTO stressed the importance of transparent, timely and consistent exchange of information amongst the different stakeholders of the industry as the pandemic evolves – a role which the TERN group will continue to perform.

7. It was recommended that countries should ensure that tourism is appropriately included in overall pandemic preparedness plans.

8. UNWTO also confirmed that active responses from the workshop in Madrid included considering, developing and sharing guidelines across the sector. A strategy for safely conducting meetings and gatherings - as well as planning for the impact of high absenteeism rates at airlines and other travel suppliers were discussed - should a stronger more infectious strain of the virus occur.  We will update members on any resulting new developments.

9. Some TERN members reported continued, disruptive screening and intervention from specific authorities – if any of our members encounter such restrictions – please do advise us and we will report them in the next TERN meeting.

You can also find more information about the H1N1 virus in the Swine Flu and Health Update released by goAUPAIR in April 2009.