Will Travel Be Affected?

During the 2003 outbreak of an influenza-like illness called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) international travel was dramatically impacted.  SARS outbreaks occurred in China and Canada during that outbreak.  During those outbreaks, airline passenger traffic across the Pacific Ocean decreased dramatically.  Hong Kong's major airline, Cathy Pacific, suffered a $1.6 billion loss during the first six months of the SARS outbreak due to decreased travel. Several agencies recommended against travel to affected cities.  SARS infected approximately 8,000 people worldwide and had an approximate ten percent mortality rate.

Pandemic influenza would infect millions of people, with mortality rates ranging from 0.1 percent upward.  Mortality rates would be specific to the influenza type and strain that was causing the pandemic.  Depending on the severity of a pandemic and the spread of the influenza strain around the world, organizations such as the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control will issue travel advisories.

The Colorado School of Mines encourages its students, staff, and faculty planning international travel to consult with the advisories issued by these organizations prior to travel.  Attention to travel advisories will assist individuals in their personal decisions regarding travel to and from affected areas.

Travel Advisory Resources

   U.S. Department of State Travel Page: http://travel.state.gov/

   U.S. Centers for Disease Control Travel Advisories: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx