International SOS is providing medical advice and support to organisations, travellers and expatriates in response to the new bird flu virus (H7N9) outbreak in China. A team of physicians and pandemic experts at International SOS’ 27 Assistance Centres, led by its Beijing and Hong Kong facilities, is monitoring the situation 24/7 and updating its pandemic resources. At its clinics in Beijing, Nanjing, Tianjin and Shenzhen, International SOS is providing advice to members and reviewing pandemic preparedness plans. 

 

Since 31 March, International SOS has issued over 17 updates to its medical alerts. Its Pandemic Preparedness website and has seen a 30-fold increase in visits. In 2012, according to recent analysis of over 4.6m travellers in its TravelTracker platform, China was a top destination for business travellers with over 180,000 individual journeys recorded. 

 

The threat of bird flu H5N1 has not diminished. In addition, another new threat, novel coronavirus, has emerged in the Middle East. If any of these three viruses were to become easily transmitted from one person to another they could cause a pandemic.

 

Current Bird Flu (H7N9) Situation 

 

Since February 2013, more than twenty people in Shanghai and three surrounding provinces in China have been infected with the new H7N9 virus. Most have developed a very severe respiratory illness and so far at least seven have died. As yet it does not appear to spread easily between people. It is currently unclear how these people contracted the H7N9 virus, although it may have been through direct contact with infected birds. 

 

Unlike bird flu H5N1, birds with H7N9 may not become sick, making it harder to determine how widely the virus has spread. Antiviral medications Tamiflu and Relenza might be effective if given early in the illness. There is no vaccine available.

 

Advice for Companies, Travellers and Expatriates  

 

At this time, International SOS advises that there is little risk to people residing in or travelling to China and no need to alter travel plans if appropriate precautions are taken. People travelling to or residing in China are advised to:

• Avoid contact with sick animals, including cats and dogs. 

• Avoid live animal markets, poultry farms or pig farms. 

• NOT handle any birds, even if they appear well and do not swim in any body of water that is used by birds. 

• Always maintain high levels of personal hygiene. Wash hands frequently, before and after food preparation and before eating. 

• Thoroughly cook all poultry and poultry products, including eggs. 

• Monitor the advice of local health authorities – they may be implementing screening of travellers returning from Shanghai or other affected areas.
 

Comprehensive information on H7N9 and H5N1 bird flu and novel coronavirus can be found on the International SOS Pandemic Preparedness website:
http://www.internationalsos.com/pandemicpreparedness/.  

This website has different levels of information available to the general public, International SOS members and subscriber companies. 

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