AVIAN FLU
Governments and health care agencies continue
to monitor and report on the Avian Flu threat. Increased media
attention has raised public interest and questions about the virus.
Although the avian flu still appears to present limited risk to the
general population, employees are encouraged to stay informed
about the virus. Reading the notices distributed by Health Services
and book-marking the links referenced at the end of this message are
two ways that employees can stay abreast of new information about the
avian flu.
WHAT TRAVEL-ON IS DOING
In order to maintain our business should an outbreak
occur, Travel-On is supplementing its business
continuity process with many of
the guidelines that have been recommended by governments
and health agencies. A threat monitoring process is
being implemented and
several prevention, treatment and containment strategies
are being developed. We have begun to communicate
with customers and suppliers so we can coordinate and
integrate planning.
We are working on providing our
employees with information and updates about the
threat and our contingency planning, and provide them with essential links they can use for business
and personal reference.
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THREAT STATUS:
The widespread persistence of the H5N1 virus in poultry poses two main
risks for human health.
The first is the risk of direct infection when the virus passes from
infected poultry to humans, resulting in very severe disease.
Unlike normal seasonal influenza, where infection causes only mild respiratory
symptoms in most people, the disease caused by H5N1 follows an unusually
aggressive course, with high fatality rates.
A second risk, of even greater concern, is that the virus - if given
enough opportunities - could change into a form that is highly infectious
for humans and spread easily from person to person.
Although birds with the H5N1 avian influenza virus have been identified
in numerous countries, the number of human cases remains small - less
than 300 worldwide.
The World Health Organization is coordinating the global response to human cases of H5N1 avian influenza and monitoring
the corresponding threat of influenza pandemic. Many governments
have issued contingency planning guidelines for public and private
institutions.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
At this time the avian flu still appears to present limited risk to
the general population. However, as with any health threat, prevention
is a personal responsibility.
General health practices:
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Simple, good personal hygiene habits, and in particular regular and
frequent hand washing is of the utmost importance in limiting the
spread of any viral illness. Thoroughly wash hands with soap and
water and use alcohol-based hand disinfectants that can be carried
in purse or pocket.
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Avoid poultry farms and live animal markets in affected countries, and public areas where flocks of birds are
located.
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Thoroughly cook all food, especially poultry, since the virus
is killed by heat.
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Obtain a vaccination to prevent seasonal human influenza.
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First and foremost, don't travel if you are not feeling well.
If you are sick, take care of yourself and treat your illness
prior to departure.
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Make sure you have immunizations recommended for your destination and
a current influenza immunization. In fact, all Travel-On employees and their families, especially if
you travel, are strongly encouraged to have the seasonal
flu vaccine to minimize the chances of having flu-like symptoms.
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Travelers who develop flu-like symptoms such as body aches, elevated
temperatures or chest congestion while outside their home country
should contact their emergency medical services rovider
for guidance.
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Observe personal health status for 10 days after return from travel.
If the symptoms described above develop, report them at once to
your physician and be sure to include your recent travel history
in the report.
Please take the time to bookmark and review this site : http://pandemicflu.gov. T his is an especially
good resource for YOU personally about what YOU should know
to prepare at home.
It is also a very comprehensive
guide for what a traveler should know, and how businesses can
prepare, as well as what Federal, State and local governments
are doing to prepare.
Other resources for information about the avian flu and general
illness prevention include:
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