Information for Travelers

• Know when you should avoid travel. If you are sick with symptoms of influenza-like illness, you should not travel.
  
  
• Know what to do during and after your trip. During your trip, follow local guidelines and practice healthy habits.
  
  

When Should I Avoid Travel?

• If you are sick with symptoms of influenza-like illness, you should not travel. These symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
• 
  
• Stay home if you are sick until at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100°F or 37.8°C) or signs of a fever (without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol®). 

top of page

Travel Preparation

• Investigate current flu activity in your region of travel.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide frequently updated information on seasonal flu activity throughout the world.
  
  
• Consult the embassy of your destination country: For International travel, consult the embassy of the country, or countries, in your travel itinerary for information about entry screening procedures (see websites of U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions for contact information).
  
  
• Get Vaccinated: Make sure you are up-to-date with all your routine vaccinations. Get the seasonal influenza vaccine as soon as possible. It is best to get the vaccine at least 2 weeks before the start of your trip. Use our Flu Shot Locator to get vaccinated where you live. More on vaccinations.
  
• Pack a travel health kit that contains basic first aid and medical supplies.
  
  
• Find out if your health insurance plan will cover medical care during your trip; many insurance companies do NOT cover these costs.

  CDC recommends purchasing additional insurance that covers medical care costs during international travel and medical evacuation.

  For more information, see Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad from the U.S. Department of State.

  Remember that U.S. embassies, consulates and military facilities do not evacuate or give medications, vaccines, or medical care to private U.S. citizens during international travel

  
  

• Consider purchasing travel insurance: Because these outbreak-related delays, which could include several days of quarantine, may affect planned activities and lead to unexpected costs, CDC strongly recommends that travelers consider purchasing travel insurance. To find a list of possible travel health and medical evacuation insurance companies, visit Medical Information for Americans Abroad (U.S. Department of State).
  
  
• Additional Travel Resources:
  • CDC: Information for Travelers (General): Air Travel and Cruise Ships
  • CDC: Travelers’ Health Website (General)

  CDC: Visit the CDC Travelers Health Map. Select from a list of regions.

  
  

top of page

During and After Your Trip

• During your trip, follow local guidelines and practice healthy habits

  Pay attention to announcements from the local government and monitor the local health and security situation.

  Follow any movement restrictions and prevention recommendations.

  Wash your hands often with soap and running water, especially after coughing or sneezing. (Use alcohol-based hand gels -- containing at least 60% alcohol -- when soap is not available and hands are not visibly dirty.)

  Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and put your used tissue in the trash. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.

  Avoid close contact with sick people.

  
  

• What to do if you feel sick

  It is expected that most people will recover without needing medical care. If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, seek medical care.

  A U.S. consular officer can help you find local medical care in a foreign country. To contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country you are visiting, call Overseas Citizens Services at: 1-888-407-4747 if calling from the U.S. or Canada, 00-1-202-501-4444 if calling from other countries, or Visit websites of U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Mission to find the contact information for the local U.S. Embassy of the country you are visiting.

  Follow all local health recommendations.

  
  

• Tips for After Your Trip

  Closely monitor your health for 7 days.

  If you become ill with fever and other flu symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, and possibly vomiting and diarrhea, seek medical attention if symptoms are severe.

top of page