To all Employees, Directors and Officers of Jaakko Pöyry Group companies
RECOMMENDATION TO POSTPONE LESS NECESSARY JOURNEYS BECAUSE OF THE SARS EPIDEMIC
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued recommendations to avert the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) epidemic emerged in South-East Asia. In several countries the public health authorities recommend postponing such journeys to affected areas that are not necessary. These recommendations most usually apply to Hong Kong, the Province of Guangdong, the Province of Shanxi, and Beijing in Continental China; and to Hanoi in Vietnam.
The Jaakko Pöyry Group's occupational health care function follows the SARS epidemic situation continuously.
Symptoms and precautions
The number of reported SARS cases is still relatively low. The incubation period is from 3 to 10 days. The initial symptoms are high temperature, shivers, headache, muscle aches and nausea. The subsequent symptoms are dry cough and breathing difficulties.
In order to reduce the chance of contracting SARS in the risk areas, it is recommended to wear a respiratory mask and to wash hands frequently. Consult a physician if you have a high fever and cough with breathing difficulties.
Travelling instructions
All non-necessary travels to areas affected with SARS are recommended to be avoided. Business travels to affected areas shall be agreed upon with the employee. No-one is obliged to travel to affected areas without his/her consent. Separate project-specific travelling guidelines shall be given as necessary.
Additional information
Instructions and travel restrictions issued by local public health authorities and possible notices by airlines should be observed in addition to these guidelines.
The web pages of the World Health Organisation (http://www.who.int/csr/sars/en/), that are updated continuously, contain information about SARS symptoms, affected areas and necessary precautions.
At Jaakko Pöyry Group Oyj additional information is available from Antero Kokkonen, Company Physician (antero.kokkonen@poyry.fi), Anja Leppänen, Nurse (anja.leppanen@poyry.fi) and Riitta-Liisa Pronin, Corporate Travel Manager (riitta-liisa.pronin@poyry.fi).
In case you have any further concerns, please contact any of the above or your immediate superior.