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Avian flu and transport: Background briefing
20 January 2006
The ITF is distributing information on avian flu (click on link below) to its affiliated trade unions and encouraging transport workers to begin a dialogue with their employers on how the disease may affect transport modes and workers should it appear in further areas. The ITF is resolutely against any panicked response to the disease’s still limited spread, but considers it prudent, given the large numbers of poultry carried worldwide (especially as airfreight) to assist with the dissemination of the excellent good practice information made available by bodies such as the World Health Organisation. The ITF fulfilled this role before and during the SARS epidemic – an epidemic which highlighted the importance of reliable information, good forward planning and risk assessment in helping medical authorities to minimise infection spread and protect lives. If avian flu spreads further or beyond the current at-risk groups the ITF will post further briefings at www.itfglobal.org/civil-aviation/index.cfm
ENDS
For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson.
Direct line: + 44 (0)20 7940 9260.
Email: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk
International Transport Workers' Federation - ITF:
HEAD OFFICE
ITF House, 49 - 60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DS
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733
Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7375 7871
Email: mail@itf.org.uk
Web: www.itfglobal.org
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