Day 2 in our series on EA USA’s Haiti earthquake assistance efforts from our team on the ground in the Dominican Republic. Following is an account from Richard Knight, our head of Emergency Logistics. To say that it has been a busy day would be an understatement.  The sheer amount of communications going backwards and forwards between the teams in Santa Domingo and rescue teams already in location, on route to location and on route from other countries has been staggering. Currently there is a buzz around town that a major airlift operations will ... Read More

On January 17th, an EA USA team consisting of our head of Emergency Logistics, a Logistics Coordinator and a Registered Nurse arrived in the Dominican Republic to manage our assistance efforts on the ground. Over the next few days, this team will be coordinating travel arrangements for members seeking to leave Haiti and the Dominican Republic and providing medical assistance, basic toiletries and clothing for affected members. Additionally, they are equipped with an array of telecommunication devices to help members communicate with their families and ... Read More

At this time, the CDC has removed its recommendation that U.S. travelers avoid travel to Mexico.   The CDC continues to recommend that travelers visiting Mexico take steps to protect themselves from getting novel H1N1 flu.  The CDC recommends that travelers at high risk for complications from any form of influenza discuss with their physicians the risks and benefits of travel in the context of their planned itinerary to Mexico, and may want to consider postponing travel. Travelers at high risk for complications include: Children less than 5 years ... Read More

On a a much lighter and more fun note, NetGlobers.com (powered by Europ Assistance) has launched a contest called 2nd Chance with a pretty sweet prize.  In case you missed it, Tourism Queensland ran a contest earlier this year for “The Best Job in the World” as caretaker of the Great Barrier Reef.  Well, Ben S. evidently won that one, so Europ Assistance is now offering you a 2nd Chance.  The prize is a round-the-world trip for up to 12 months valued at 20,000 Euros (around $25,000 US, depending on where the exchange rate goes) and the ... Read More

Twenty countries have officially reported 985 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection. Mexico has reported 590 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 25 deaths. The higher number of cases from Mexico reflects ongoing testing of previously collected specimens. The United States has reported 286 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths – Austria (1), Canada (85), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Costa Rica (1), Colombia ... Read More

The virus previously referred to as swine influenza is now referred to as H1N1 influenza. The situation continues to evolve rapidly. As of 06:00 GMT, 1 May 2009, 11 countries have officially reported 331 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection. The United States Government has reported 109 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. Mexico has reported 156 confirmed human cases of infection, including nine deaths. The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths – Austria (1), Canada (34), Germany (3), ... Read More

The World Health Organization has raised the pandemic alert this evening to 5, which is widespread human infection. Per Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO director-general, “Influenza pandemics must be taken seriously precisely because of their capacity to spread rapidly to every country in the world. On the positive side, the world is better prepared for an influenza pandemic than at any time in history.   The situation continues to evolve rapidly. As of 18:00 GMT, 29 April 2009, nine countries have officially reported 148 cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 ... Read More

Here is a report from one of EA USA’s medical directors about the situation in Mexico: Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit 4 private hospitals in Monterrey, the second largest city in Mexico.   There is mandatory reporting of all suspected and confirmed cases to the health department at all hospitals.  Most of the hospital staff and patients are wearing masks, but they tend to be ill-fitting (many people cover only their mouths, leaving their noses exposed) and low-quality – providing more psychological reassurance than real medical ... Read More

Summary:  No significant change from yesterday.  Cases in New York now up to 40, cases in Mexico passed 1600 with 149 deaths. Mexico has greater than 1600 cases and 149 suspected deaths United States has approximately 60 cases with no reported deaths Canada has six cases New Zealand has ten cases from travelers recently in Mexico Spain has one case from a traveler who was recently in Mexico United Kingdom (Scotland) has two cases 2)  Current Travel Recommendations / Restrictions: WHO:  is not recommending any travel or trade restrictions CDC:  ... Read More

Europ Assistance is closely monitoring the Swine Flu outbreak and is available to help customers with questions or concerns about travel in affected areas.  Europ Assistance doctors are currently in Mexico visiting hospitals to assess the local situation.  Europ Assistance advises customers to follow the recommendations of the US Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization. Information from the World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_04_24/en/index.html Information from the United States Centers for Disease ... Read More