Swine flu travel update

While it may have slipped from the national headlines, swine flu still poses a threat to British travellers preparing to head away on their summer holidays. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its pandemic threat alert to level six - stating the virus can no longer be contained.

Here travelbite.co.uk takes a look at which destination are still struggling with effects of the A (H1N1) virus.

At the centre of the outbreak was Mexico - but following a decline in the number of reported new swine influenza cases since the peak in April the Foreign Office is no longer advising against all but essential travel.

While there are still dangers associated with travel in the area, the risks are subsiding with guests advised to follow local advice on precautions to take to avoid exposure to the influenza - especially in the capital Mexico City.

Just south of the border there have been confirmed cases of human A (H1N1) flu in Belize, with holidaymakers urged to obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. Similarly Guyana has also seen cases reported.

Jamaica and Libya have also reported outbreaks of the virus to the WHO.

In Europe, Macedonia has also seen confirmed cases. However, guests may be at more risk from a mumps epidemic - which has seen a total of 5,913 people infected. Croatia has also seen cases of the virus.

In response to the outbreak some authorities have introduced medical screening for at airports - mainly for passengers arriving on international flights.

Further, some authorities have put quarantine measures in place for people travelling from affected countries.

Concerned travellers can head over to the Foreign Office website - which has more information on measures being taken to limit the impact of the swine flu outbreak.

travelbite.co.uk staff