광진ECC

Interoffice Memo

Date:     June 1, 2009

To:            Teaching Staff

Cc:            Mr. Sohn <Director>

From:       Sue <Academic Director>

Subject:  Swine Flu

 

I’m sure you are all aware by now of the Swine Flu virus spreading across the globe. The Korean government is taking steps to prevent the spread of this virus, including checking travelers coming into Korea, but it is difficult to check them all. According to the Korean Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 10 percent of travelers are being checked when they enter into Korea, meaning that about 90 percent just pass through the inspection process. Health authorities also said it is almost impossible to filter out travelers who are possibly infected with the virus upon their arrival.

The total number of people infected with the new flu virus in Korea is growing each day. The majority of those infected are western people coming to Korea to teach English. One 24-year-old U.S. citizen who tested positive for the virus was teaching English at a private language institute and infected 14 other teachers. All 14 people are under quarantine for treatment and observation. As a result, the institute was forced to close all its schools throughout Korea indefinitely.

 There are growing worries that language institutes hiring foreign teachers might serve as a vehicle for the spread of the disease. There have already been several phone calls by our parents inquiring about the preventive steps YBM/ ECC is taking to avert the spread of the virus to their children. The YBM/ECC head office will be distributing a set of its procedures to all its locations shortly and expects everyone to support their efforts to help ensure a healthy work environment.

Influenza spreads mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people, so you want to minimize contact with infected people. Taking some very simple precautions can help prevent you from getting the Swine Flu.

1.      Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.

2.      Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

3.      Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs spread that way.

4.      When possible avoid socializing in areas where expats and foreign teachers tend to gather (e.g. Itaewon, Hongdae).

Practice ‘Good Personal Hygiene’ and take the necessary steps to fight against the spread of this virus. One person can make a difference.

Sue