The flu outbreak that started in Mexico in April 2009 appears to be coming to a halt.
The Netherlands’s RIVM state there is no longer an epidemic situation.
It is still very well possible to become infected by the virus. Proper hygienic measures remain important in order to minimalize health risks.

Contagiousness
The flu is contagious from 1 day before to 5 or 6 days after the symptoms appear. Not everyone gets sick after becoming infected. Some people are infected with the virus and also contagious, without ever having been sick. The contagiousness quickly decreases after the fever disappears.

Incubation period 
The incubation period is the period between when a person is infected with the flu virus to when the first symptoms appear. For the flu, this is an average of 2 to 4 days (and a maximum of 7 days) after infection with the virus.

Symptoms
In the event of infection, the vast majority of crewmembers will recover without any problems. In consultations in mid-August 2009 with the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) we learned that, on average, the symptoms are very mild. Most people will feel better after a few days, and will need no more than simple medications such as paracetamol (acetaminophen) and cough syrup.

Preventative measures
Needless to say, it is a good idea to take simple measures to prevent the flu virus from spreading on board. The following measures are important in this respect:

• The best measure to prevent the introduction of the flu virus on board is to ensure that the crew does not visit any locations (cafés, markets, fairs, etc.) where large numbers of people are present when in port cities where the Mexican flu has been observed. 
• During the stay in port, the crewmembers should take care to wash their hands very frequently (this is a major way that the flu spreads) and continue this until 4 days after departure from the port. If no one is sick at this point, the crew may return to their normal behaviour.
• If you cough or sneeze, make sure to cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue. Use each tissue only once, and dispose of it immediately after use. Then wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
• If one or a few crewmembers develop the flu (fever > 38˚ C), they should return to their hut and isolate themselves from the rest of the crew until they are better. A permanent staff member will be appointed to care for sick crewmembers.
• However, if more than a few crewmembers become sick at the same time, isolating the sick crewmembers from the rest is pointless. In this case, anti-fever medications should be used to ensure that a sufficient number of crewmembers are healthy enough to sail the ship.  

Future developments
RIVM has stated that spread of the virus in The Netherlands is decreasing and there is no longer an epidemic situation.  More specific information on the current situation in your region of the world can be obtained through the weblinks below.

Last updated: 27th January 2010