With the global outbreak of swine flu, should you curb you wanderlust to stay home with a bottle of antiseptic handwash? I say, hell no
Swine flu. Pig flu. H1N1 flu. The 2009 flu pandemic. Call it what you want, it’s received lots of media attention. And rightfully so.
As of 19 July, 12 African countries have officially reported 157 laboratory confirmed human cases of swine flu, with South Africa ranking in the highest number (103). In the USA, there have been 40 617 cases of swine flu, leading to 263 deaths. Other countries with high H1N1 cases include Canada, Australia, the UK and China. The World Health Organisation reported that more than 700 people have died from the H1N1 virus worldwide.
With the list of countries affected being those we typically travel to for both business and pleasure, it’s not surprising that the media reports that travellers are most likely to contract and spread the H1N1 virus, especially those at high risk. As someone who often travels abroad I considered whether I should be worried. The answer is no.
Truth be told, I’m not too concerned about the projected health concerns related to swine flu. Call me naive perhaps. Even crazy. But my travel bug is far stronger than any flu bug. I also realise that unless I seal myself at home and restrict all contact with the outside world, there’s no point in worrying about it. If the flu virus is going to get me, it’s going to get me, especially if it’s out there waiting for its next victim – me. It’s no different to seasonal flu. Life must go on. I know too that, thanks to the HEPA filters that are fitted to most modern airplanes, the chances of catching the virus in a plane – unless you’re seated in very close proximity to someone who’s coughing and sneezing – are no greater than if you travelled using a bus or train or even went to the movies or shopping centre.
What really bothers me, though, are the travel restrictions I could be faced with – aka, unfriendly welcomes abroad. It’s reported that British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airlines are turning away passengers who are suspected of having swine flu, which means check-in delays. Numerous airports have installed devices at the arrival hall measuring passengers’ temperature and the Philippines, Singapore and other Asian countries are quarantining passengers with fevers in government hospitals. Many other countries are following suit. What does this mean? Yip – chaos, with arrival and transfer delays.
As I see it, the travel inconvenience far outweighs the health risks for travellers. It’s somewhat of a catch-22 situation really – perhaps the delays are the reason why the health risks are low. In any case, delays or no delays, I’m of the opinion that unless you’re travelling to a very high-risk area, by following stricter hygienic care there’s no reason to restrict your wanderlust and not travel. So if you are considering booking that ticket, I say go for it and don’t let the media cause additional stress that’s already related to travel anyway.
Bon voyage.