Global Rescue News

Swine Flu FAQs

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May 1, 2009

With the escalation of emergent cases of the H1N1 or “swine flu” virus throughout the world, and the first related death in the United States, Global Rescue has received a number of phone calls asking about the illness and how to prepare when traveling. Below is a list of important facts about the virus, which should provide answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Swine Influenza signs and symptoms:

If a traveling member experiences any of the below warning signs, they should seek emergency medical care.

In children:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing

• Bluish skin color

• Not drinking enough fluids

• Not waking up or not interacting

• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

• Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

• Sudden dizziness

• Confusion

• Severe or persistent vomiting

Conditions that increase risk of severe influenza infection

Any of our members who experience the following conditions should be especially vigilant as travelers and should limit plans accordingly:

• Chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, hematological, or metabolic disorders

• Immunosuppression

• Compromised respiratory function, including conditions which increase the risk for aspiration

• Long-term aspirin therapy

• Pregnancy

• Age > 65 years

• Age < 2 years

Everyday precautions for travelers

As with many pandemics, the best defense is to take some very simple precautions, including:

• Regular washing of hands with soap and water

• Routine use of alcohol-based hand cleansers

• Avoiding large crowded areas

• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick

• Avoid touching mouth, nose and eyes

• Ordering foods that are thoroughly cooked

For members who suspect they might have contracted the virus

• Global Rescue provides 24-hour on-alert infrastructure for reporting and supporting potential cases. Clients use this network to notify Global Rescue as soon as suspected symptoms occur or a provincial diagnosis is made. While laboratory confirmation is taking place, Global Rescue personnel begin to organize treatment and transport.

• Global Rescue can provide local medical teams with information and training that will enable them to recognize and make a diagnosis.

• Global Rescue monitors laboratory exams and assists in providing rapid and precise diagnoses. Global Rescue can expedite transport of medical samples if members’ locations are distant from an appropriately equipped laboratory.

Global Rescue’s crisis response capability

Treatment

• In the event of an outbreak where Global Rescue can successfully reach patients, medical teams will be deployed to advise, direct, and coordinate transport with local health officials.

• Global Rescue and Johns Hopkins physicians are available 24/7/365 to provide consultation on patient treatment and pandemic intelligence.

Transport

Global Rescue members infected with Swine Influenza requesting aeromedical evacuation or transfer will be transported by medically equipped aircraft, subject to CDC, WHO, host and receiving government regulations.

Global Rescue makes use of air ambulances approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) and European Aeromedical Institute (EURAMI) whenever possible. Transport will take place in accordance with all applicable government regulations and the Global Rescue Member Services Agreement after the medical evacuation arrangements are coordinated.

Global Rescue members will be transported to the domestic hospital of their choice or to a quarantine facility as directed by U.S. authorities or appropriate governing body for international destinations.

The United States operates quarantine facilities in the following cities:

Anchorage, AK
Atlanta, GA
Boston, MA
Chicago, IL
Dallas, TX
Detroit, MI
El Paso, TX
Honolulu, HI
Houston, TX
Los Angeles, CA
Miami, FL
Minneapolis, MN
Newark, NJ
New York, NY
Philadelphia, PA
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA
San Juan, PR
Seattle, WA
Washington, D.C.

Government restrictions on medical evacuations

If the influenza reaches pandemic categories, governments could severely restrict or halt air, ground and maritime transportation. In situations like these, Global Rescue may be limited in the evacuation services we can provide our members. For this reason, members who have plans to travel to remote or developing countries or members who are currently in developing areas that lack modern standards of medical care are encouraged to delay non-essential travel or consider returning home if they are currently traveling.