Travel Guard Offers Free Assistance to Travellers Concerned with Swine Flu Outbreak’s Impact

TORONTO, April 29 /CNW/ – Travel Guard (www.travelguard.ca) announced today it is providing free emergency travel and medical assistance services and travel health information to U.S. and Canadian travellers affected by or concerned with the recent swine flu outbreak. These services include worldwide medical referrals; up-to-the-minute updates on outbreak status and travel areas affected; information on symptoms, prevention and treatment; and coordination of travel arrangements for those in transit.

Travel Guard will also provide information and medical referrals for travellers in transit who believe they may be experiencing swine flu symptoms. Travellers seeking these services can call Travel Guard at 1-866-644-6811 (US and Canada toll-free) or collect at 1-715-295-1209 (for international callers). Travel Guard is also providing information and updates related to the swine flu situation on its websites at www.travelguard.com and www.travelguard.ca.

“Our worldwide travel assistance operations are closely monitoring the swine flu outbreak and its impact on travellers around the world,” said Joel Donin, spokesperson for Travel Guard. “Travellers can contact us for travel updates, health warnings, prevention and treatment tips and other information related to this situation. From allowing trip cancellation due to fear of flying following 9/11, to offering free assistance to travellers concerned with the swine flu outbreak, Travel Guard has a proven track record of supporting travellers.”

About Travel Guard:

Travel Guard is one of the largest providers of travel insurance and assistance in North America, offering consumers a variety of travel insurance plans, all with comprehensive travel and protection services – and backed by superior customer service.

Flying During Swine Flu Outbreak? Protect Yourself!

OK, I love to fly, especially upside-down in a Pitts-Special, but flying commercially leaves me cold for the simple reason that most people are boors and don’t even know how to cover their mouths properly when they sneeze or cough. (Use your sleeve). Years ago, I therefore adopted the habit of ceasing to breathe for extended periods of time when I heard anyone in the cabin sputter and spew forth their unwanted germs.

That reaction unfortunately won’t prove very effective during something like the current swine flu outbreak, which the WHO (World Health Organization) today said is an “imminent pandemic”.

I have no intention of flying anywhere in the near future (planning to T@B down to the next convention at which I’m supposed to speak) but when I do, I plan to at very least wear an N95 Breathing Mask as shown in the picture to the right.

This is a NIOSH certified mask, which was recommended for protection to healthcare workers by both the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control during the SARS infection back in 2003.

This N95 Mask includes a special one-way exhalation valve for cooler, easier breathing not included in most N95 masks, and an adjustable nose clip.

Magellan’s sells a pack of N95 masks that includes four disposable masks and fitting instructions.