Be cautious, but positive -- tips for safety & travel during this flu outbreak

This article was recently sent by Southeast Tourism Society -- Southeast Tourism Society is trying to sort through the copious amount of information concerning the Swine Influenza (swine flu) outbreak. While we try to separate fact from hype, we present a few central points concerning the situation and how it affects the travel and tourism industry.

Below you will find basic talking points about what is known. These tips are courtesy of the U.S. Travel Association. For more information on the latest events from a travel and tourism perspective, visit http://www.ustravel.org/pressmedia/pressrec.asp?Item=961.

Southeast Tourism Society will keep you informed as the situation develops.

The Experts Say: Cause for Concern, Not Panic

• Travelers, like all citizens, should heed the advice of experts when determining how best to manage health concerns.
• According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Swine Influenza (swine flu) should not discourage people from traveling to or within the United States.
• The top US disease control official rejected as unwarranted an EU warning that discouraged Europeans from traveling to the United States due to the swine flu. "At this point, I would not put out a travel restriction or recommendation against coming to the United States," said Richard Besser, acting head of the CDC. ! !
• According to the CDC, individuals should take common sense steps to protect themselves, including: "wash your hands…get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food."

Inform Travelers Responsibly, Without Discouraging Economic Activity

• Governments and opinion leaders around the world must strike a delicate balance of accurately and adequately informing citizens of health concerns without unduly discouraging travel and other important economic activity.
• Unnecessary panic has the potential to paralyze travel and further America's ongoing economic crisis.
• Recent health concerns, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Avian flu, provide useful guidance as governments, opinion leaders and travelers consider the appropriate response to swine flu.
• The 2003 SARS outbreak, in which 75 deaths were reported worldwide yet more than 750 stories were written in the New York Times and Washington Post alone, was an example of an "infodemic" rather than an "epidemic."
• According to the Asian Development Bank, the cost of SARS in terms of lost GDP for East and Southeast Asia was $18 billion, primarily through downturns in tourist arrivals. Tourist arrivals in the most affected economies declined by 20 - 70 percent in April 2003, one month following the announcement of the SARS pandemic. Lesser affected Asian countries experienced declines of 15 - 35 percent, leading to a loss of nearly $15 billion in economic impact.

Travel Industry Is an Important Resource to Government, Consumers

• STS says it is ready to assist the U.S. government and health experts in communicating critical information to travelers.
• The U.S. Travel Association has contacted all relevant agencies with an offer to help "in any way needed." These agencies include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Departments of Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, State and Transportation.