Corporate Travel Services - Swine Flu Updates

	Influenza A (H1N1) aka Swine Flu Updates

	23-June 09 Ministry of Health (MOH) - Update on Influenza A (H1N1) in Singapore Press Release

	08-June 09 Update on Influenza A (H1N1) in Japan Attached press release is the latest update on the current flu situation in Japan for your attention. You may wish to know that affected areas such as Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto have shown significant improvement with most affected cases completely recovered. Schools in these areas have reopened and the local Japanese have resumed their daily life as usual. With this updated information, we hope it would help to ease your passengers’ concerns regarding traveling to Japan. Please feel free to disseminate this information to your staff and colleagues. More current information, please refer to the website http://www.jnto.go.jp/flu/eng.html Press Release

	26-May 09 Update on Influenza A (H1N1) in New Zealand The outbreak of Influenza A (H1N1) has caused concern about the safety of international travel. In that context this communiqué aims to clarify that there are currently no cases of influenza A (H1N1) in New Zealand. All 9 New Zealanders who contracted the virus while on travel in North America have been treated and have recovered from their mild influenza symptoms. There has been no transmission of the virus among people in New Zealand; there have been no infections in animals; there have been no fatalities. The national health authorities are monitoring passengers from incoming flights originating in North America and screening any travellers who have been recently in Mexico or the United States. Positive screening will be put in place on Saturday 23 May for inbound direct flights from Japan. Any persons exhibiting flu-like symptoms are being diagnosed and offered advice and opportunities for treatment. The Government considers the outbreak a matter of concern, but not alarm. Although ‘flu symptoms have been mild in cases in New Zealand, the government has implemented a national action plan to prevent infections occurring here and treating any individuals, foreigners included, should they become sick following travel outside New Zealand. As a result New Zealand has been among the first countries able to respond quickly and effectively to the H1N1 outbreak. Systems are in place to care for anybody who develops the ‘flu. All New Zealand international airports are open and operating normally, with some additional health precautions. There is no reason for visitors to be overly concerned about contracting this illness in New Zealand. We are recommending normal health precautions for all New Zealand nationals and visitors alike. Up-to-date statements about the situation in New Zealand can be found on the Ministry of Health website: www.moh.govt.nz. Updates by Japan National Tourism Organization

	15-May 09 Below is an update on the situation in Hong Kong with the second imported H1N1 flu case. To highlight measures on Health Safety, No Travel Restrictions and Quarantine measures in Hong Kong: • The 24-year old man who had returned from United States was being isolated in hospital. Only six people who sat near him on his flight from San Francisco and relatives who met him at the Airport were quarantined. • Centre Health Protection controller, Dr Thomas Tsang said that a wider quarantine was unnecessary after the latest case, as the man had not moved widely among the population. The infection was detected when he approached airport health officials on his arrival. The man was stable and had shown only mild flu symptoms. Quarantine measures by Hong Kong SAR government: • The quarantine measures by the Hong Kong SAR Government are meant to safeguard visitors' health. Only those who have had close contact with patient confirmed to have H1N1 will be invited to undergo further medical tests and placed under quarantine or medical surveillance NO Travel restrictions against Hong Kong: • To date, there is NO travel restriction against Hong Kong. The city, as well as travelling by visitors, remain normal. The World Health Organization (WHO) also advises no restriction of regular travel. Health Safety measures by HK SAR government: • Hong Kong has one of the world’s most sophisticated and professional health care systems, with stringent surveillance and monitoring systems. Operators of tourism attractions, public transport facilities and public venues, remain on high alert, and have stepped up the preventive measures, including enhanced disinfection of the public facilities. For any further clarifications and enquiries please contact the undersigned. Linda Tan Sr Marketing Manager, Singapore/Malaysia/Thailand + MICE South & Southeast Asia Hong Kong Tourism Board Tel: 65 64320101 Fax: 65 3365811 Email: Linda.Tan@hktb.com Website: www.DiscoverHongKong.com

	12-May 09 RESPONSE BY HKTB ON COMPLETION OF QUARANTINE MEASURES IN HONG KONG Below is response by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) on the completion of quarantine measures among affected visitors following a confirmed human case of influenza A (H1N1) infection in Hong Kong: • The majority of the visitors who underwent the 7-day quarantine as a precaution against the H1N1 virus were released on Thursday (7 May) and today (8 May). Out of some 200 visitors, over 150 have selected to stay behind and continue their travel in Hong Kong. • The quarantine measures by the Hong Kong SAR Government were meant to safeguard visitors’ health under the emergency situation. The HKTB expressed deep concern to those visitors affected by the quarantine. As a token of our appreciation, the Hong Kong SAR Government is offering two nights of hotel accommodation to those who have decided to stay behind in Hong Kong. The HKTB has also arranged a hospitality gift pack to be delivered to each visitor. The hospitality pack comprises an array of offers and souvenirs from local attractions and travel trade. • The visitors were generally satisfied with the arrangement. They expressed understanding towards the precautionary measures taken by the Government, and have great confidence in Hong Kong’s sophisticated and professional health care system. The HKTB believes the incident will not dampen visitors’ intention to re-visit Hong Kong. • There have been no new cases of influenza A (H1N1) reported in Hong Kong since the confirmation of the single imported case on 1 May. To date, there is NO travel restriction against Hong Kong. The World Health Organization (WHO) also advises no restriction of regular travel. The city and visitors’ activities remain normal. Nevertheless, the Hong Kong SAR Government, as well as operators of tourism attractions, public transport facilities and public venues, remain on high alert, and have stepped up the preventive measures, including enhanced disinfection of the facilities concerned. • As summer approaches, the HKTB will announce a series of activities to promote Hong Kong’s diverse tourism appeal. The HKTB warmly welcomes visitors from around the world to travel to or re-visit Hong Kong. 就香港完成H1N1甲型流感檢疫措施香港旅遊發展局之回應就傳媒查詢有關香港於今日完成H1N1甲型流感檢疫措施，香港旅遊發展局(港旅局)發言人表示： · 由5月1日至5月8日期間，共有200多名旅客接受七日隔離抗疫措施，大部分人士已分別於星期四(5月7日)及今日完成檢疫。當中，共有150多名旅客選擇繼續留在香港旅遊。 · 香港特區政府是在保障旅客健康的緊急情況下才採取有關措施。對於受隔離措施影響的旅客，我們深表關切及體恤。為向曾接受檢疫的旅客表示心意，香港特區政府為他們提供兩晚酒店住宿。而港旅局亦特別送上一系列由本港旅遊景點及旅遊業界提供的特備優惠和紀念品。 · 旅客對有關安排表示滿意。他們對香港特區政府採取的防疫措施表示理解，也對香港完善及專業的醫療系統充滿信心。港旅局相信，事件應不會影響旅客再次來港的意欲。 · 自5月1日香港確診唯一一宗人類感染H1N1甲型流感個案後，香港至今並沒有新的感染個案。目前，沒有國家或地區向香港發出旅遊限制，世界衛生組織(世衛)亦建議毋須限制外遊。香港市民及旅客在港的活動均維持正常。同時，香港政府部門、旅遊景點、公共交通設施及各公眾場所均保持高度警覺，積極進行防範工作，加強清潔消毒其設施。 · 夏天即將來臨，港旅局將會公佈連串活動，推廣香港多方面的旅遊魅力，歡迎各地旅客前往或重遊香港。

	4-May 09 with immediate effect, all travel agents in Singapore will be required by Minstry of Health ( MOH ) to provide information of passengers who have confirmed upcoming trips to anywhere in Mexico. We will also be providing MOH with data of passengers who had returned from Mexico with effect from 27 April 2009 onwards. Details required will be as follows : 1) Name 2) NRIC / FIN No. / Passport Number 3) Gender 4) Place of Birth 5) Address 6) Telphone Numbers 7) Nationality 8) Date of Arrival in Mexico 9) Date of Departure from Mexico This is part of the precautionary measures that are in place to forestall the spread of the virus to Singapore. NATAS Notice – Information on Travel Bookings to Mexico.pdf MOH Notice – Information on Travel Bookings to Mexico.pdf There are no human cases of Influenza A (H1N1-2009) in Singapore. There are 590 confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1-2009) reported in: - Mexico (with 25 deaths) - 226 in the United States (with 1 death) - 85 in Canada - 40 in Spain - 15 in United Kingdom - 8 in Germany - 4 in New Zealand - 3 in Israel - 2 in El Salvador and France - 1 in Austria, Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Ireland, Italy, Costa Rica, Columbia, Hong Kong and The Republic of Korea.

	3-May 2009 Link to Ministry of Health for Latest Information on - Global Influenza H1N1 - http://www.moh.gov.sg/mohcorp/default.aspx

	1-May 2009 NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT STATEMENT Update on Influenza A (H1N1) – 01.5.09 The New Zealand authorities assure travellers that it is safe to travel to New Zealand. The government moved quickly to respond to the small number of cases of Influenza A H1N1 which arrived in the country from North America. There have been no cases of human-human transmission of the virus identified in New Zealand, and there are no infections in animals. The national health authorities are monitoring passengers from incoming flights originating in North America and screening any travellers who have recently been in Mexico or the United States. Any persons exhibiting flu-like symptoms are being diagnosed and offered advice and opportunities for isolation and treatment. The Government considers the outbreak a matter of concern, but not alarm. Although flu symptoms are mild in cases in New Zealand, the government has implemented a national action plan to prevent further infections and treat the sick. As a result New Zealand has been among the first countries able to respond quickly and effectively to the H1N1 outbreak. Systems are in place to care for anybody (New Zealanders and visitors) who develop the flu. All New Zealand international airports are open and operating normally, with some additional precautions, and there have been no cancellations of international services into New Zealand as a result of the influenza outbreak. Within New Zealand it is business as usual. The tourism industry is operating normally. New Zealanders and visitors alike are being advised to take normal health precautions.


	HKTB MEDIA STATEMENT In response to the confirmed human case of influenza A (H1N1) infection in Hong Kong on 1 May, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) would like to make the following statement: The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) believes that our priority right now is to provide visitors with the best possible assistance and the most up-to-date and accurate information about the situation in Hong Kong by working closely with the Government and the travel trade. The HKTB has already undertaken a series of measures, including: • A dedicated 24-hour Visitor Hotline: +852 9538 5912 has been in service to provide assistance to visitors. • Through our Visitor Centres and Visitor Hotline, we are providing information about the availability of hotels on Hong Kong Island, in case visitors who have made reservations at Metropark Hotel Wan Chai need assistance in locating alternate accommodation. • Provide alcohol-based hand-cleaner and surgical masks to visitors at our Visitor Centres. • Provide information about preventive measures and advice from Government through HKTB channels, including our Visitor Centres, Visitor Hotline and the HKTB website. • Increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting all Visitor Centres to every two hours. The HKTB has disseminated comprehensive information to our worldwide offices, so that they can inform the travel trade and consumers in their markets of the latest situation in Hong Kong. We caution that the spread of the influenza H1N1 globally will affect consumers’ travel sentiments to a certain extent, and Hong Kong will not be immune. The HKTB is closely monitoring consumers’ travel sentiments in the source markets through the worldwide offices, and will adjust our marketing strategies and investment as and when appropriate. Media can download the press release from the HKTB’s DiscoverHongKong.com website: http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/about-hktb/press-releases.html For media enquiries, please contact: HKTB Singapore Office Miss Vivien Cheong / Ms Sharon Teo Tel: 6432 0110 / 64320103 Fax: 6636 5811 E-mail: vivien.cheong@hktb.com/ sharon.teo@hktb.com. During non-office hours, please contact: Overseas media: 852-8100 8935.