Individuals who are sick with respiratory illness either before leaving Fiji or while abroad should delay travel to reduce the risk of further spreading the virus.

This is the message from the Health Ministry and the World Health Organization as they continue to monitor the spread of cases of the H1N1 flu virus in countries around the world with the alert level at 2.

While travelling or back in Fiji, if you develop symptoms of flu, stay in your accommodation or hotel or at home and avoid contact with others until 7 days have passed since your symptoms started.

If further travel is necessary, travelers are reminded that they should not travel while ill.

Meanwhile, on the question of one being isolated at home rather than in a hospital, WHO team leader Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response Dr Jacob Kool said it is not necessary for people to be admitted in hospital but to just stay home and avoid contact with others to prevent spreading the virus.