Infectious Diseases
Advice for staff planning to cover stories on outbreaks overseas

Advice for staff planning to cover stories on outbreaks overseas

Advice for expatriates living in affected areas

The risk of the virus spreading from bird to human is low. However there are certain precautions you must take when going into an infected area for a story. These precautions are to protect you, but also to prevent the infection from spreading.

Before you go:

Check myRisks Information for up-to-date health advice.
Contact the High Risk Team.
Contact the Occupational Health at BBC HR Direct - for relevant immunisations, malaria prophylaxis and other preventive measures, as well as for influenza specific medical interventions (e.g. the need for anti-virals if travelling to a remote area with limited access to medical care).
Complete Risk assessment.
Ensure you have the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This is obtainable from safety equipment stores.

On arrival at, and during your assignment:

Adhere to advice from local public health officials or police and stick to any imposed quarantines.
Wear relevant PPE.
Avoid birds (and other affected animals), and surfaces, areas, or water that may be contaminated by bird (or other animal) secretions.
Maintain good basic hygiene. Use soap and water, or waterless alcohol based hand rubs when soap is not available and hands are not visibly soiled.

Do not:

Drink, eat or smoke in the area.
Remove your PPE until you are outside any contaminated area.
Place your equipment (e.g. cameras, bags etc.) directly on the ground or other contaminated surface
Pick up any potentially contaminated material (feathers etc.)

Immediately post assignment:

Prevent cross contamination by following basic decontamination procedures.

Decontamination

Step 1:

Move to the edge of the hazard area.
Do not remove PPE at this time.

Before leaving the contaminated area ensure that all personnel are not carrying any obvious dirt or dust on boots / clothing / equipment.

Step 2: Decontaminate equipment first.

Draw a line on the ground (clean/dirty line).
Any equipment which has been in the contaminated area must be wiped down with Dettox (or other recommended disinfectant) and dirty swabs and placed into plastic bags provided.

Step 3: Removal of PPE

The team must remove their PPE in the correct order:

Remove suit first.
Remove boots.
Remove 1st layer of gloves; keep the oral nasal mask on.
Once the used PPE has been put in the plastic bag you may remove the oral nasal mask.
Remove 2nd layer of gloves.
Wash hands.

Disposable PPE should be properly discarded, and non-disposable PPE should be cleaned and disinfected as specified in government, industry, or local outbreak-response guidelines. If the country has no guidelines use a black plastic bag to dispose of PPE.

Hand hygiene measures should be performed after removal and disposal of PPE (see hand-washing).

Clothing: All clothing should be laundered.

On completion of assignment:

Monitor your health for 10 days.
Do not travel while ill, unless travelling locally for medical care.

If you become ill:

If you become ill with fever and develop a cough or have difficulty breathing or if you develop any illness during this 10-day period, or if you have had a close inadvertent exposure (e.g. within 1 metre of live or dead domestic fowl or wild bird) consult your local health-care provider or BBC HR Direct.
Do not self treat with anti-viral drugs without medical advice.
Limit contact with others as much as possible as this can help prevent the spread of an infectious illness.
If on board an aircraft inform the cabin staff as soon as possible.
Ensure your manager is informed.

Before you visit a health-care setting, tell the provider the following:

1. Your symptoms,

2. where you travelled, and

3. if you have had direct contact with an infected individual or animal.

If you are overseas contact AXA-PPP for advice. They will also provide names and addresses of local physicians/healthcare facilities.

Infectious Diseases Advice for staff planning to cover stories on outbreaks overseas

Infectious Diseases
Advice for staff planning to cover stories on outbreaks overseas