Traveling safely during flu season

H1N1 | Staying home won't protect you, so here's how to cope on the road

NEW YORK -- Last spring, thousands of travelers canceled trips to Mexico after a swine flu outbreak there emptied beaches and resorts.

Staying home won't protect you from swine flu now: At least 46 states have reported widespread flu activity.

Here are some questions and answers about travel insurance, basic hygiene and other aspects of traveling during the swine flu outbreak.

Q. Is it OK to travel during the swine flu outbreak?

A. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says "some travelers at increased risk of complications from flu may want to consider postponing travel." The agency identifies those in the high-risk categories as pregnant women, adults older than 65, babies and children under 5, and those with chronic illnesses. If you are in a high-risk category and must travel, the CDC recommends that you talk to a doctor about whether to take flu medications with you in case you can't get medical care right away. If you are sick, stay home.

For more information from the CDC, visit http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Q. Will I face a health screening if I fly?

A. The United States is not screening either inbound or outbound air travelers, according to the CDC. But you may face screening in other countries, including having your temperature taken by a walk-by thermal scanner or with an oral or ear thermometer. For more information from the State Department, visit http://travel.state.gov.

Q. How can I protect myself against swine flu? Should I wear a face mask?

A. The CDC says there is little information on the effectiveness of disposable paper face masks. They are not recommended in most settings.

The most important thing you can do is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. To protect others, use a tissue or cough and sneeze into your sleeve.

Frequent travelers have other rituals, too. Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel.com, says she cleans airplane tray tables with sanitizing wipes before using them, and she avoids putting items in the seatback pocket, where previous passengers may have stored dirty tissues.

Bill Miller, who handles business development for CheapOAir.com, avoids drinking out of glasses in hotel rooms, using disposable cups and bottled water instead. He also tries to stay away from breakfast bars and other buffet meals where germs can spread.

Q. If I cancel a planned trip because of swine flu, will I get a refund?

A. Travel suppliers are not obligated to help, but it's worth asking. Last spring, when the outbreak was at its worst in Mexico, some travel suppliers offered credits toward future trips. Some resort chains with hotels in Mexico and other locations allowed travelers to switch destinations if they had availability at hotels elsewhere, but travelers had to book new airfare.

Q. Should I buy travel insurance?

A. "We're telling our clients: 'Don't leave home without travel insurance,"' said Mike Weingart, president and managing director of Travel Leaders in Houston.

But traditional travel insurance only offers coverage if you become too sick to travel before departure or if you become sick during the trip.

Traditional insurance will not cover your losses if you cancel a planned trip simply because you are worried about exposure to illness, even if a pandemic is declared, said Judy Sutton, director of product management for Travel Insured International. To be covered in that case, you'd need a "cancel for any reason" policy, Sutton said. Be aware that "cancel for any reason" policies usually offer only a 75 percent reimbursement.

Q. What about cruises?

A. The cruise industry requires passengers to fill out pre-boarding questionnaires screening for swine flu symptoms. Passengers who report symptoms or exposure to flu may face additional screening and could be barred from boarding.

Paul Motter, editor of CruiseMates.com, points out that because of past outbreaks of norovirus, which causes stomach flu, on cruises, "the newer ships already have hands-free lavatory facilities, with doors that open automatically and hands-free sinks and toilets, as well as procedures to isolate passengers who become sick." AP