Protecting employees from chikungunya fever

Singapore – While the rise of the chikungunya fever cases may not be a major disruption to the business operations yet, HR practitioners should still ensure employees are safe from the outset.

With a total of 150 cases of chikungunya fever reported this year, there is a growing need for HR to educate employees about the nature of the disease and its preventive measures. Despite the lack of any significant threat to business continuity, it remains vital for employees, especially those who might be travelling to areas with an active outbreak, to understand the risks. For Dr Jeffrey Staples, medical director of International SOS consulting services, Asia, it is simply “protecting your people” and performing the “corporate duty of care”.

“If they are not aware of the risk and educated about how to protect themselves and what to do if they get sick,” stresses Dr Staples. “Then the company is probably not demonstrating corporate due diligence in protecting its people.”

As chikungunya fever is spread by mosquitoes, which is similar to other vector-borne viral illnesses such as dengue fever or west Nile fever, the potential to derail business operations is minimal. However, Dr Staples explains the impact on the individual can be significant. “With some people remaining ill and weak for up to several weeks, with side effects such as severe joint pains lasting up to several months.”

Hence, educating the workforce is vital as most people have yet taken the time out to really understand the nature and risks of chikungunya fever. Dr Staples believes the biggest threat to the office is likely to be employees overreacting due to ignorance, especially “if someone in the office has been diagnosed with it”.

Some control measures HR can put in place are educating employees on the nature of the disease, how it is spread, how to avoid it and most importantly, notifying authorities if an employee is diagnosed with it. While authorities can investigate the source of the outbreak and take appropriate measures to reduce the mosquito population, Dr Staples advises HR to take charge as well. “Remind your employees the need to remove any standing water at work and at home that might serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.”