internationalsos.com - Press releases

International SOS Releases Web Site to Educate Public about Swine Flu Outbreak

24 April 2009

Philadelphia

International SOS has launched a new Web site to communicate important information regarding the swine flu outbreak to members of the public and the media. The site, available at http://urgent.internationalsos.com/, provides updates on the situation, travel recommendations and answers to frequently asked questions that those in California, Texas and Mexico, or traveling to these areas, may have.  The site will be continually updated as new information on the situation becomes available.

Currently, the Web site covers important topics including:

•      The latest updates on the outbreaks in the U.S. and Mexico
•      Symptoms of the swine flu
•      Recommendations on travel
•      What those who currently are or have recently returned from the affected areas should do
•      Latest available information on medical interventions

With more than 300 doctors on staff in more than 70 countries, International SOS is a recognized expert in disease outbreaks and pandemic preparedness.  More than 350 companies around the world subscribe to the company’s “Pandemic Information Service” and International SOS has assisted over 100 companies in developing their pandemic plans.

In response to the outbreaks, International SOS has formed a crisis management team to evaluate the situation and aid clients in the affected areas, including more than 1,500 members in Mexico City.  They are also urging clients to review their pandemic preparedness plans so that they are prepared if the outbreak spreads.  As was reported by the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization is immediately convening an expert panel to determine if the pandemic threat level will be raised. 

International SOS will continue to monitor the situation and update the public and clients as new information is released.

About International SOS

Operating in over 70 countries, International SOS (http://www.internationalsos.com/) helps organizations manage the health and safety risks facing their travellers and global workforce. Its services range from consultancy and planning services to 24-hour medical and security advice and assistance. It also provides emergency medical and security evacuations when there is a critical illness, accident or civil unrest. In 2008, the company handled over 1,000,000 assistance cases, including nearly 18,000 evacuations.  On average, International SOS handles 1 evacuation every 29 minutes and receives more than 4.25 million calls per year.