Cathay Pacific pregnant flight attendants threaten to go on sick leave for fear of measles | #AsiaNewsNetwork



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The threat came from the fact that the carrier had to disinfect some of its headquarters when an office worker became the 33rd person to catch the disease in Hong Kong and the 13th airport and airline employee to be affected.

Vera Wu Yee-mei, president of the Cathay Pacific Airways flight attendants union, said that a dozen flight attendants, who had been transferred to ground positions in various departments of the headquarters of Cathay Pacific Airways, said company, were dissatisfied with what they saw as insufficient measures to ensure the safety of staff. .

Wu wrote to the airline's management on Saturday urging them to temporarily allow women to work from home or take paid sick leave.

Wu also asked for disinfection of the entire company headquarters and said the company had until Monday to respond, otherwise the flight attendants would get sick.

"We want society to take a more proactive approach to coping with the epidemic, not as pbadive as it seems to be right now," Wu said.

A spokeswoman for the airline said the company understood the concerns of her pregnant colleagues who were working near the employee with measles. She said that they were advised to consult their doctor and follow their advice if they were worried about their immunization status or their possible exposure.

"We are also working with pregnant colleagues on how to work," she added.

The city's health authorities met with their counterparts in Macau on Friday to work together to end the growing number of people falling ill. In the casino center, 26 people were infected with the disease this year.

In Hong Kong, more than a dozen cases were recorded among airport and airline staff, including a pilot, baggage handlers and security guards, as the government struggled with the concentration of cases , while the demand for vaccines exceeded the available amount.

The Health Protection Center confirmed that the latest case on Saturday involved a 26-year-old man working at the airline's headquarters in the customer relations department.

Measles outbreak brings timely vaccination reminder
The official had a fever on March 25 and three days later was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment.

The patient, who told the medical staff that she had already been vaccinated, was clbadified in a stable condition and had not traveled during the incubation period when symptoms manifested themselves, stated health officials.

The airline would have cordoned off the fifth floor where the woman worked and disinfected the area.

Another case related to the airport was confirmed Friday night, involving a 49-year-old man working in the basement of Hong Kong International Airport. An office worker, the man had not traveled recently either.

Health officials said they would give priority to airport workers for vaccinations, where dedicated kiosks were set up for those who had not yet been vaccinated. More than 6,600 airport staff have been vaccinated since the launch of the service last Friday.

A previously well-controlled infectious disease is making a comeback
There were only 15 cases of measles in the city in 2018. This year, this number has more than doubled, with the infected being between eight months and 49 years old.

On Friday, health workers conducted blood tests on 100 people to determine who needed the most.

The pharmaceutical companies distributed more than 30,000 doses of vaccine to the private sector last week and about 40,000 to the public sector.

The government said it hoped that another 40,000 would be delivered to Hong Kong between mid-April and June.

Cathay Pacific said the center had informed her of measles diagnosed in an office worker.

"The company has taken steps to arrange an in-depth cleaning on the employee's floor, in the lobby and other public areas," said the airline, adding that his colleagues close or interacting with the employee concerned were asked to check their symptoms.

"Cathay Pacific employees are advised to check their temperature before going to work and to check their vaccination status. If they do not feel well, they are advised to see a doctor and stay at home. "

https: //www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3003956/c …

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