The World Tourism Organisation is advising the industry not to drop its guard over the H1N1 swine flu pandemic, warning that a second wave is on the way and the tourism sector needs to ensure that it is not left out of measures to safeguard travellers.
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Showing posts with label H1N1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label H1N1. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Bus driver hands out mask in fear of outbreak
A bus operator based in Tuy Hoa city in Phu Yen province has made it compulsory for all staff and passengers travelling to and from HCM City to wear face masks against swine flu and distributes them free of cost.
Cuc Tu, which runs the largest fleet between HCM City and the capital of central Phu Yen province, distributes the activated carbon masks to passengers as soon as they get on board.
Nguyen Thi Kim Cuc, the fleet owner, explained: "If we hand out the masks at ticket booths, chances are that people will just drop them."
The masks cost her VND30 million (US$1,700) a month, she said, but fares remain unchanged and the company would continue to bear the cost until the epidemic was wiped out.
"We’re in a peak season now, with students returning to the city for the new school year, increasing the risk of infection," she said, noting that her fleet of 30 buses transport around 1,000 people a day.
"Passengers stay packed in a narrow air-conditioned space. So the risk is high."
The masks were made mandatory soon after the first swine-flu death was reported in Nha Trang City earlier this month, she said.
Her husband, Ho Tu, who also manages the business, said any staff member would have a day’s salary cut if found not wearing the mask while working.
So far, the province had reported no cases of infection.
But Tu said he was very concerned since if just one infection is found in a coach, the whole fleet would be prevented from operating and the staff would be quarantined.
"So we should not regret the money spent on masks, because it can save passengers from infection and our credibility from being damaged.
"If other transporters follow us, I think it’s good for all."
Nguyen Truong Ton, 52, who was travelling with his wife and young daughter, said he got used to wearing masks since he traveled to the city three times a month on business.
"At first, it’s very uncomfortable," he admitted.
Huynh Van Trung, a driver for Cuc Tu, said many people in Phu Yen were too afraid to go to the city because of the outbreak of A/H1N1 flu and the company had to find ways to reassure them.
"I don’t know who’s infected and who’s not, so I think I should wear it for safety," Vuong Thi Mien, 51, who did not once take off her mask during the trip to HCM City, said.
VietNamNet/Viet Nam News
Cuc Tu, which runs the largest fleet between HCM City and the capital of central Phu Yen province, distributes the activated carbon masks to passengers as soon as they get on board.
Nguyen Thi Kim Cuc, the fleet owner, explained: "If we hand out the masks at ticket booths, chances are that people will just drop them."
The masks cost her VND30 million (US$1,700) a month, she said, but fares remain unchanged and the company would continue to bear the cost until the epidemic was wiped out.
"We’re in a peak season now, with students returning to the city for the new school year, increasing the risk of infection," she said, noting that her fleet of 30 buses transport around 1,000 people a day.
"Passengers stay packed in a narrow air-conditioned space. So the risk is high."
The masks were made mandatory soon after the first swine-flu death was reported in Nha Trang City earlier this month, she said.
Her husband, Ho Tu, who also manages the business, said any staff member would have a day’s salary cut if found not wearing the mask while working.
So far, the province had reported no cases of infection.
But Tu said he was very concerned since if just one infection is found in a coach, the whole fleet would be prevented from operating and the staff would be quarantined.
"So we should not regret the money spent on masks, because it can save passengers from infection and our credibility from being damaged.
"If other transporters follow us, I think it’s good for all."
Nguyen Truong Ton, 52, who was travelling with his wife and young daughter, said he got used to wearing masks since he traveled to the city three times a month on business.
"At first, it’s very uncomfortable," he admitted.
Huynh Van Trung, a driver for Cuc Tu, said many people in Phu Yen were too afraid to go to the city because of the outbreak of A/H1N1 flu and the company had to find ways to reassure them.
"I don’t know who’s infected and who’s not, so I think I should wear it for safety," Vuong Thi Mien, 51, who did not once take off her mask during the trip to HCM City, said.
VietNamNet/Viet Nam News
Thursday, May 7, 2009
WHO praises Vietnam for flu preventive efforts
The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Shin Young Soo, has complimented the Vietnamese health sector for its preparations and readiness to cope with influenza A (H1N1).
At a meeting with Health Minister Nguyen Quoc Trieu in Hanoi on May 5, the WHO representative acknowledged Vietnamese efforts to upgrade the health sector over the past 10 years.
However, Mr Shin noted that like many other countries around the world, Vietnam needs to do more to deal with new deadly diseases such as HIV, SARS, bird flu (H5N1) and now influenza A (H1N1).
He also pledged the WHO’s continued support for the Vietnamese health sector in the future.
VietNamNet/VOV'
At a meeting with Health Minister Nguyen Quoc Trieu in Hanoi on May 5, the WHO representative acknowledged Vietnamese efforts to upgrade the health sector over the past 10 years.
However, Mr Shin noted that like many other countries around the world, Vietnam needs to do more to deal with new deadly diseases such as HIV, SARS, bird flu (H5N1) and now influenza A (H1N1).
He also pledged the WHO’s continued support for the Vietnamese health sector in the future.
VietNamNet/VOV'
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