Press Release
iJET Advises Travelers and Corporations on Avian Flu Precautions
Annapolis, Maryland - March 3, 2005 - Amid heightened global concern over the potential for an avian flu pandemic, iJET is advising travelers to Asia on precautions to take to avoid infection. iJET is also urging corporations to develop contingency plans in case of a pandemic.iJET initially addressed concerns surrounding a pandemic in two special reports issued by the firm last year. The company also sponsored a Web-based seminar to help corporate clients identify universal and company-specific problems that might accompany a pandemic, and develop strategies to deal with each.
Public concerns regarding avian influenza reemerged last week following statements by experts attending an international conference on the disease. Officials with the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the avian flu virus is evolving quickly, and widespread, prolonged outbreaks are providing many opportunities for a pandemic virus to emerge. The head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared that avian flu is the largest threat facing the world today. Many doctors believe that if a pandemic virus emerges, the disease will be more contagious than SARS, and more difficult to contain.
Nearly all human infections of avian flu have resulted from close contact with infected birds, raw poultry products, bird remains or bird feces. The avian influenza virus has not yet acquired characteristics necessary for efficient person-to-person transmission. Experts are warning, however, that the virus could change in a manner that would allow it to be more efficiently transmitted from birds to humans, and then from person to person.
Locations affected by the most recent bout of avian flu outbreaks include Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, and possibly Laos and Myanmar. Although neither iJET nor the CDC are advising against travel to these regions, the CDC has issued a "Travel Health Precaution" for expatriates living in Asia and for people traveling to Vietnam, especially those who will visit friends and relatives.
Although the present risk to travelers is low, it could rise quickly. Among other recommendations, iJET advises travelers to affected regions to:
- Monitor the situation closely and seek prompt medical attention for fever or illness following travel to Southeast Asia.
- Avoid live poultry farms and public markets with live chickens or ducks. Some birds, especially ducks, can efficiently transmit the virus without appearing sick.
- Avoid bird and other animal excrement at areas including farms, parks and golf courses.
- Eat only well-cooked meals served hot. Heat destroys the virus.
- If possible, get an influenza vaccine prior to travel. Although the vaccine will not protect against avian influenza, it will protect against more common strains of influenza that are circulating.
- Always practice good hand hygiene. If you touch raw or frozen poultry during the food preparation process, carefully wash your hands and clean all kitchen surfaces with disinfectant.
- Try to eat in establishments with good food handling practices.
- Avoid traveling with fever. Authorities in many Asian destinations are screening travelers arriving from bird flu-affected countries for fever and cough.
About iJET Intelligent Risk Systems
iJET Intelligent Risk Systems is a leader in business resiliency, helping multinational corporations and government organizations monitor, protect against and respond to global threats. Integrating world-class open source intelligence with patented technology, iJET’s award-winning Worldcue® solutions help clients monitor and assess global threats relative to their key people, facilities and supply chain assets; automatically track and communicate with travelers and expatriates; and deploy emergency response services throughout the world at a moment's notice. Providing a unified view of threats to assets, iJET enables clients to mitigate risks, reduce corporate liability and prepare for and respond to business disruptions.
