Whatever Happened to Swine Flu? Should Travelers Still Worry?

A couple of months ago, you couldn't hear anything else for the low roar of Swine Flu talk. It was on television, the radio, the subject of every casual conversation, email, chat and tweet.

And then Iranians revolted, Michael Jackson died and swine flu seemingly ceased to exist. Travelers: breathe a sigh of relief. But according to a leading travel medicine doctor, you may still want to take that breath at least six feet from the closest coughing stranger.

While we fixated elsewhere, the number of Swine Flu cases grew to some 55,000 world wide. There's been a case reported in nearly every country by now. So why isn't Dr. David Freedman, director of the UAB Traveler's Health Clinic (an Air Ambulance Card partner, see directory at left), sounding a code red for travelers? "The United States still has a whole lot of [Swine Flu] cases and people who worry about going to a foreign country and getting Swine Flu while there, I'd have to tell them their chances are probably greater getting it in New York City."

Add to that, those who don't travel much, the very young, are more likely to contract Swine Flu. Only 5% of cases are those over 50 years of age. Freedman says travelers in their 50's and 60's likely were exposed to a similar flu some 30 or 40 years ago and still carry some effective antibodies.

Still, there are some areas of concern. Flu viruses transmit better in winter. So travelers planning a trip to Australia, Chile, South Africa or anywhere far south of the equator should take precautions. Freedman recommends:

• Stay 5-6 feet from travelers who are coughing
• Wash hands frequently, especially before eating
• Carry tissues and hand them out to fellow travelers who are not covering their mouths when coughing or sneezing

But, perhaps most importantly, don't become so fixated on Swine Flu that you neglect other travel health practices. Freedman says travelers headed for tropical or developing countries face far more serious health problems from diseases like malaria if they fail to get the necessary vaccines and medication. "They are probably more serious risks at this time," says Freedman.