About Monkeypox

About Monkeypox

 

In July 2022, The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the current monkeypox epidemic a global
health emergency of international concern – the highest level of alert. Monkeypox is a viral disease that
occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of central and west Africa and is occasionally exported to other regions.

The current outbreak is unlike any previous one outside of Africa because there is sustained person-to-person transmission of the infection. As of July 2022, there have been over 16,800 confirmed infections in 74 countries that have not historically reported monkeypox cases. Most infections have been reported from Europe. The majority of infections have been in men who have sex with men, especially men who have sex with multiple partners.i

Currently there are no countries that have implemented travel restrictions or bans related to monkeypox. However, some countries have introduced either isolation requirements or recommendations for those who test positive or have been a known contact of a positive patient. The list of countries includes Belgium, UK, Netherlands, UAE, Canada and St. Lucia. While more countries may adapt isolation requirements for those who become positive or exposed, there is little indication broad travel restrictions will be instituted by countries due to this virus.

Signs and symptoms

Clinical presentation of Monkeypox can include with fever, headache, exhaustion, rash and swollen lymph nodes and symptoms last from 2-4 weeks. In some cases, monkeypox can lead to a range of medical complications and fatality (approximately 3-6% of cases).ii

The clinical presentation of monkeypox resembles that of smallpox (which was declared eradicated worldwide in 1980). Monkeypox is less contagious than smallpox and causes less severe illness. A vaccine developed for the treatment of smallpox has also been licensed for the treatment of monkeypox. However, vaccine availability is currently limited.iii

Prevention
Given the recent spread of the virus and the limited vaccine availability, prevention is essential to managing monkeypox. The virus is spread from person-to-person via:
• Direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids
• Respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex
• Touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids
• Pregnant people can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta.

Take the following steps to prevent getting monkeypox:
• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox
• Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox
• Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox
• Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox
• Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with monkeypox
• Practice safe sex using condoms
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

In Central and West Africa, avoid contact with animals that can spread monkeypox virus, usually rodents, marsupials and primates and refrain from eating or handling wild game (bush meat). Avoid sick or dead animals, as well as bedding or other materials they have touched.iv

If you suspect you have monkeypox
To prevent virus transmission, contact tracing and isolation are the main tactics to control the outbreak. If you think you have the virus please:
• Report to a health professional any illness during travel or upon return from central and west Africa
• Consult your doctor if you have any unusual rash or lesions
• Avoid touching your lesions or rashes
• Isolate until symptoms have resolved – if you need to leave isolation you should cover the rash and wear a well-fitting mask
• Reach out to anyone you’ve had close physical contact with and let them know about your symptoms.v

More information
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/monkeypox
https://search.cdc.gov/search/?query=monkeypox&dpage=1
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jul/25/monkeypox-emergency-who-disease

___________________________________

i Monkeypox: World Health Organization declares it a global health emergency – here’s what that means (theconversation.com)
ii Monkeypox (who.int)
iii https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jul/25/monkeypox-emergency-who-disease
iv Prevention | Monkeypox | Poxvirus | CDC
v How To Prevent Monkeypox: A Guide for Travelers – Test for Travel

International Assistance Group expands its network in LATAM and the Caribbean with the addition of Comfort Health

Paris – France, December 15, 2021 – Delivering an additional layer of medical resources across Latin America and the Caribbean, we are delighted to have selected Comfort Health as an Accredited Service Provider for doctor house call visits. Helping to reduce the inconvenience, cost and discomfort of travelling across an unfamiliar location and negotiating local […]

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International Assistance Group collaborates with Sitata to help partners navigate post-COVID travel

 

PRESS RELEASE

International Assistance Group collaborates with Sitata to help partners navigate post-COVID travel

 

Paris, France, November 4th, 2021 – International Assistance Group is excited to announce a technology collaboration with Sitata that will support our global alliance’s network of partners to plan ahead for world-wide COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements.

International Assistance Group (IAG), the world’s largest alliance of independent assistance companies, has embedded Sitata’s COVID-19 Entry Requirement map widget within its proprietary worldwide operational database, Globus.

The collaboration strengthens the power of Globus by helping partners navigate the changing COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements in different parts of the world.

“As travel starts to rebound, we’re seeing a huge amount of anxiety from travellers, which can  be reduced by helping people understand what is required of them,” said Adam St. John, CEO of Sitata. “Through this initiative, we’re pleased to be supporting IAG and their network of partner organizations around the world as they continue to support the return of travel.”

Through this new mapping tool, International Assistance Group members will be able to search entry requirements based on point of origin, destination, date of travel, nationality, and vaccination status.

Over 14 different entry requirement categories and more than 13 local travel restrictions are summarized including travel bans, COVID-19 test requirements, quarantine situation, vaccination requirements, social distancing, mask mandates, and more. The tool is available across 15 different languages.

International Assistance Group General Manager Louise Heywood said inbound and outbound travel restrictions related to COVID-19 vary widely by country.

“While testing, vaccination and quarantine requirements are common, the details can differ greatly from one country to the next. Every country has its own rules. Through our partnership with Sitata, we can give our partners access to the most current COVID-19 information they need to ensure safe and smooth travel for their customers during the pandemic.

With more than 200 active users, our proprietary Globus database has become a vital resource for IAG partners and providers worldwide. The system provides operational and administrative information of our complete network of partners, correspondents and assistance-related providers to ensure that there is always an expert available to help any traveller, anywhere in the world.

In our industry, having access to the right information at the right time is critical and in many cases, lifesaving. Globus enables our partners to act quickly and confidently to get the best help for their customers, when and where they need it,” Louise said.

Available exclusively to IAG Core Partners, Globus provides access to over 140 partners and correspondents, and more than 230,000 service providers worldwide, from air ambulance, repatriation and roadside assistance services to doctors, dentists and hospitals.

Sitata uses advanced monitoring software powered by machine learning and a global team of analysts to monitor and validate global changes. All travel information is provided in near real-time. By providing up-to-date information, International Assistance Group and their members will know what travellers need at every stage of their journey and help take unnecessary stress out of the travel experience.

Louise said Sitata’s innovative mapping tool adds another layer of actionable, real-time information to Globus and will also improve their partners’ access to COVID-19 testing centres.

“Since the pandemic, we have been steadily growing our network of COVID-19 testing centres to help our partners find the closest centres for their customers needing pre departure or post arrival tests,” she said. “By integrating Sitata intelligence within Globus, we’ve been able to add even more testing centres, to make sure our partners have access to the very latest information to help their customers.”

About Sitata
With headquarters in Kitchener, Canada, Sitata is a global health, safety, and risk management provider. Founded in 2012 by Dr. Ronald St. John, a world-renowned leader in the field of public health and emergency preparedness, the company uses artificial intelligence, machine learning and innovative mobile technologies to keep travelers safe when abroad. Sitata combines technology and services to address a variety of industries including aviation, travel management, travel insurance and assistance, and general travel for business, education, or holidays.

About International Assistance Group
The International Assistance Group is the world’s largest alliance of over 140 independent
assistance companies, service providers, and correspondents dedicated to world-class global
assistance service and cross-border collaboration on behalf of insurers and travellers. We combine our shared global values and collective expertise with local market and cultural knowledge, united by a common desire to help travellers in trouble anywhere, at any time. Together, we deliver high-quality medical, roadside, travel, corporate, security, and home assistance services to business and leisure travellers, as well as expatriates, and large corporations. Our philosophy ‘local partners, global solutions’ underpins our mission, to enable our partners to always deliver world-class assistance, wherever their customers are.