Ebola Risk Remains Low in UK for UK Postal Workers

[TrueBlueTerrier]

LTB641/14 Ebola Risk Remains Low in UK for The Public and UK Postal Workers - Surveillance and Support Continues (Update 16 Oct 2014)



No. 641/14

Ref E1/14

Date: 16 October 2014

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

Ebola Risk Remains Low in UK for The Public and UK Postal Workers - Surveillance and Support Continues (Update 16 Oct 2014)

Further to LTB 515/14 dated 11 August 2014, the Health & Safety Department continues to liaise with all the appropriate authorities, and it is important to continue to keep Branches advised and informed on the Ebola virus.

Following liaison with Judith Grant RMG Head of Health and Wellbeing, a Royal Mail Group wide up to date briefing has been issued today.

Please find attached the most up to date briefing on Ebola drawn up by the Consultant Medical Adviser to Royal Mail Group. The RMG Head of Health & Wellbeing has included the most pertinent bullet points below for Royal Mail staff.

Ebola virus disease is a serious, usually fatal, disease for which there are no licensed treatments or vaccines. But for people living in countries outside Africa, it continues to be a very low threat.

Unlike flu viruses, Ebola is not an airborne disease; people can only become infected with the Ebola virus if they come into contact with the blood, body fluids or organs of an infected person.

The UK has a robust public health system with the trained staff and facilities necessary to contain cases of Ebola if they occur.

The risk to postal workers from mail objects arriving in the UK from countries where the outbreak of Ebola is occurring, namely Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone the following applies: No additional measures are required beyond those that are in place for handling leaking or blood stained mail items in general.
According to the WHO, all the Ebola cases detected to date outside of the affected countries are clearly linked to direct exposure to symptomatic patients. This, in itself, strongly suggests that that the risk of transmission by mail is extremely low, if it exists at all.

Based on the current understanding of Ebola virus transmission and its survival in the environment, this risk of receiving mail contaminated with fluids is extremely low or non-existent.

WHO experts believe that a person afflicted with Ebola would most likely not be in a fit state to come to work and contaminate the mail. In the unlikely event that such contamination did happen, it is extremely improbable that the Ebola virus would survive. In the light of these factors, there is currently no significant risk of Ebola being transmitted by mail.

If you find a soiled package (for example with blood, excrement, or similar) isolate the package and follow the steps in the "Be Aware" guide. Make sure you thoroughly wash your hands if you touched the package and then phone Central Postal Control on Postline 57852999 or 02070162999. They will then advise you what to do next.
Yours sincerely

Tony Rupa
Acting Health, Safety & Environment Officer

[DB1100]

I'm not reassured by anything this government says.

[Lounge Lizard]

LTB641/14 Ebola Risk Remains Low in UK for The Public and UK Postal Workers - Surveillance and Support Continues (Update 16 Oct 2014)



No. 641/14

Ref E1/14

Date: 16 October 2014

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

Ebola Risk Remains Low in UK for The Public and UK Postal Workers - Surveillance and Support Continues (Update 16 Oct 2014)

Further to LTB 515/14 dated 11 August 2014, the Health & Safety Department continues to liaise with all the appropriate authorities, and it is important to continue to keep Branches advised and informed on the Ebola virus.

Following liaison with Judith Grant RMG Head of Health and Wellbeing, a Royal Mail Group wide up to date briefing has been issued today.

Please find attached the most up to date briefing on Ebola drawn up by the Consultant Medical Adviser to Royal Mail Group. The RMG Head of Health & Wellbeing has included the most pertinent bullet points below for Royal Mail staff.

Ebola virus disease is a serious, usually fatal, disease for which there are no licensed treatments or vaccines. But for people living in countries outside Africa, it continues to be a very low threat.

Unlike flu viruses, Ebola is not an airborne disease; people can only become infected with the Ebola virus if they come into contact with the blood, body fluids or organs of an infected person.

The UK has a robust public health system with the trained staff and facilities necessary to contain cases of Ebola if they occur.

The risk to postal workers from mail objects arriving in the UK from countries where the outbreak of Ebola is occurring, namely Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone the following applies: No additional measures are required beyond those that are in place for handling leaking or blood stained mail items in general.
According to the WHO, all the Ebola cases detected to date outside of the affected countries are clearly linked to direct exposure to symptomatic patients. This, in itself, strongly suggests that that the risk of transmission by mail is extremely low, if it exists at all.

Based on the current understanding of Ebola virus transmission and its survival in the environment, this risk of receiving mail contaminated with fluids is extremely low or non-existent.

WHO experts believe that a person afflicted with Ebola would most likely not be in a fit state to come to work and contaminate the mail. In the unlikely event that such contamination did happen, it is extremely improbable that the Ebola virus would survive. In the light of these factors, there is currently no significant risk of Ebola being transmitted by mail.

If you find a soiled package (for example with blood, excrement, or similar) isolate the package and follow the steps in the "Be Aware" guide. Make sure you thoroughly wash your hands if you touched the package and then phone Central Postal Control on Postline 57852999 or 02070162999. They will then advise you what to do next.
Yours sincerely

Tony Rupa
Acting Health, Safety & Environment Officer

Yes, "don't panic".