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Robin Byfleet · 3rd July 2009, 19:28

SWINE FLU v Pilots; ATC; cabin crew etc
I have a question regarding work status for Operational status for officers/pilots/ATC staff given the current and future situation regarding Swine Flu.

If you are taking TAMIFLU, I understand you are not fit for work, in any shape or form, but in these cases a medical certificate will be issued.

However there appears to be a shortage of TAMIFLU tablets in this country, and the preventative vaccine is not yet available until at least the end of August 2009.

Given the own government figures that 80 % of the UK population is acceptable to Swine Flu, and that the government expects large numbers of people to go down with Swine Flu in the next few months, gives the aviation industry many problems.

Let’s get one thing clear this is a very infectious virus, that is not only spread in closed (cockpit; cabin; ATC Tower or operations room) area, as the Glasgow spread of Swine Flu has shown spread is almost certainly from an open football match, means you can catch it anywhere, including sitting alone in your own back garden.

The senior government health officer was stated yesterday on the 10 O Clock News (Radio 4), and on the BBC TV News, that they want people who think they are infected to go home and take PARACETAMOL, and that only if other problems occur will then, TAMIFLU will be prescribed, this could lead to people coming into work, for fear of losing their job.

We all know that Aviation Operational staff takes Paracetamol and work, could we have some guidance in the current situation.

Think this would be important for 1st Officers and other with low cost carriers (who could easy lose their employment in the current downturn), and the problem of going sick and only taking Paracetamol and not going to the doctors, and having NO medical Certificate to prove they were ill at all!

This problem is further complicated when other members of the household they are living in, may have Swine Flu!

Currently this latter situation is very difficult, as a doctor will not issue a medical certificate for another family member, who is not sick, yet is living with someone who has Swine Flu, but has been TOLD by the doctors to stay off work. This leads to great difficulties explaining to your employer the current situation.

Offers on guidance’s or what airlines, airport authority and NATS would be welcome to clarify a difficult confusing situation, especially for some of the junior first officers?

3rd July 2009, 19:28	#1 (permalink)
Robin Byfleet Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: South of England Posts: 7	SWINE FLU & Flight Crew / Ops / ATC ???? SWINE FLU v Pilots; ATC; cabin crew etc I have a question regarding work status for Operational status for officers/pilots/ATC staff given the current and future situation regarding Swine Flu. If you are taking TAMIFLU, I understand you are not fit for work, in any shape or form, but in these cases a medical certificate will be issued. However there appears to be a shortage of TAMIFLU tablets in this country, and the preventative vaccine is not yet available until at least the end of August 2009. Given the own government figures that 80 % of the UK population is acceptable to Swine Flu, and that the government expects large numbers of people to go down with Swine Flu in the next few months, gives the aviation industry many problems. Let’s get one thing clear this is a very infectious virus, that is not only spread in closed (cockpit; cabin; ATC Tower or operations room) area, as the Glasgow spread of Swine Flu has shown spread is almost certainly from an open football match, means you can catch it anywhere, including sitting alone in your own back garden. The senior government health officer was stated yesterday on the 10 O Clock News (Radio 4), and on the BBC TV News, that they want people who think they are infected to go home and take PARACETAMOL, and that only if other problems occur will then, TAMIFLU will be prescribed, this could lead to people coming into work, for fear of losing their job. We all know that Aviation Operational staff takes Paracetamol and work, could we have some guidance in the current situation. Think this would be important for 1st Officers and other with low cost carriers (who could easy lose their employment in the current downturn), and the problem of going sick and only taking Paracetamol and not going to the doctors, and having NO medical Certificate to prove they were ill at all! This problem is further complicated when other members of the household they are living in, may have Swine Flu! Currently this latter situation is very difficult, as a doctor will not issue a medical certificate for another family member, who is not sick, yet is living with someone who has Swine Flu, but has been TOLD by the doctors to stay off work. This leads to great difficulties explaining to your employer the current situation. Offers on guidance’s or what airlines, airport authority and NATS would be welcome to clarify a difficult confusing situation, especially for some of the junior first officers?