International Travel during Corona Period: CMAAO Guidelines

International Travel during Corona Period: CMAAO Guidelines

Dr K K Aggarwal

President CMAAO, HCFI AND Past National President IMA

The present diamond princess ship with corona outbreak has shown us to revisit our travel checklist when visiting any country

Travel advisory are of four types

Level 1 in all countries (Exercise normal standard hygiene precautions)

Level 2 in all affected countries (Exercise a high degree of caution)

Level 3 in all countries with secondary cases (Reconsider your need to travel)

Level 4 in affected parts of China and Korea (Do not travel) 

1. Keep the possibility of being quarantined for 14 days in any country.

2. Carry atleast 20 days extra essential medicines stock.

3. Always keep the passport, kept in a plastic pouch, in a safew front pocket, with you in case you need to leave the country in emergency.

4. Always carry your medicines authentic prescription with you with generic names of the drugs.

5. Always carry some dry fruits with you.

6. Always book a refundable air ticket even if they are 10% costlier.

7. Always carry a photocopy of passport and visa.

8. Always get travel insurance. Remember most standard policies won't cover you for 'Do not travel' destinations.

9. Understand that you could die. Make sure you have an up-to-date will, an enduring power of attorney. Designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries.

10. Never travel to countries with level 4 warnings ( do not travel) like for Wuhan in China.

11. For level 3 warning (like currently India for Singapore), travel only if must, minimise time spent in airports by scheduling direct flights if possible. Avoid stopovers in high-risk airports.  Stay as short a time as possible. Eliminate unnecessary activities.

12. Leave an area at the first sign of unrest, or if you feel uneasy.

Time to issue an advisory to schools and colleges regarding Corona Virus

Corona Virus has been declared Public Health Emergency of International concern

Shri Narendra Modi ji
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India

Dear Sir

Since the Corona Virus has been declared Public Health Emergency of International concern the government should immediately issue a school and college advisory regarding everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.

1. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
3. Avoid close contact with people who are sick with fever, cough or cold
4. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
5. You can sneeze with a sleeve or arm. Do not use your hands.
6. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
7. Stay home if you are sick with any respiratory symptoms, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath and are feeling tired.
8. Try staying away from large groups of people.

Dr KK Aggarwal
Recipient of four National Awards (Padma Shri, Vishwa Hindi Samman, Dr B C Roy National Award and National Science Communication Award)
President Confederation of Medical Associations of Asia and Oceania
President Heart Care Foundation of India
Chairman HCFI Round Table on Health & wellness, Building Consensus
Past National President and Past Honorary Secretary General, Indian Medical Association

31st Jan

History of anti-fever medicine to be added in airport advisory to prevent corona virus transmission

History of anti-fever medicine to be added in airport advisory to prevent corona virus transmission

Shri Narendra Modi ji

 Prime Minister of India

 Dear sir

The following advisory is being issued at the airports for all travellers who have travelled China in the past 14 days

The advisory needs a change and need to add that all those Travellers who have taken Paracetamol or any fever medicine in the last 8 days should also report to the airport health officer.

 thermal screening at the airport can fever patient has taken Paracetamol in the recent past

The current advisory

“For all Travellers who have visited China particularly, through Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China during past 14 days and are having one or more of the following symptoms: acute onset of fever, cough , shortness of breath should report to airport health unit. For other travellers (those without any symptoms) Travellers who have visited the affected city and do not have any symptoms on arrival but develop above-mentioned symptoms within 28 days of arrival in India should visit nearest hospital and report to the state / district health authorities and concerned airport health officer.”

With Kind Regards

Dr KK Aggarwal

Recipient of four National Awards (Padma Shri, Vishwa Hindi Samman, Dr B C Roy National Award and National Science Communication Award)

President Confederation of Medical Associations of Asia and Oceania

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Chairman HCFI Round Table on Health & wellness, Building Consensus

Past National President and Past Honorary Secretary General, Indian Medical Association

FSSAI issues advisory to stop putting toys and gift items inside food packets

Dr KK Aggarwal

Vide an order F. No. 12(4)2016/Misc/RCD/FSSAI, dated 22^nd July, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an advisory regarding non-food items that are packed as free toys and gift items with food products stating that such non-food items if swallowed accidentally by children may endanger their health and also their life.

The advisory further stated that “Considering safety of public at large, there is a need to discourage food businesses from providing any toy or gift items inside food packages, especially in the case of food which is likely to be ingested directly by an infant or a small child. Such promotional free toys or gift items may be provided separately or packed separately… The colour, texture and nature of toy or gift item should not at all resemble the food product inside food package.”

The Advisory urges commissioners of food safety of all states to make efforts to create awareness amongst the stakeholders to discourage such practices of packing toys with food products.

As per section 3(1) zz(xi) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, “unsafe food” means an article of food whose nature, substance or quality is so affected as to render it injurious to health by virtue of being misbranded or sub-standard or food containing extraneous matter.

(Source: FSSAI)

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

President Elect Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania   (CMAAO)

Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Past National President IMA