# 2776
The news that Panasonic would repatriate the families of employees working in selected countries around the world before September of this year, over fears of a flu pandemic, came to light early yesterday evening.
I blogged about it about 11pm last night, based on the preliminary news reports.
Today, Helen Branswell of the Canadian Press has more detail, including reaction from the WHO (World Health Organization).
As always, Ms. Branswell covers the story extremely well. Follow the link to read the entire article.
Panasonic to repatriate staff families over flu fears
By Helen Branswell, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Last Updated: 10th February 2009, 2:23pm
A plan by Panasonic Corp. to repatriate families of overseas employees because of fears of a flu pandemic drew a perplexed reaction from the World Health Organization on Tuesday.
WHO spokesperson Gregory Hartl said there is no evidence that the risk of a pandemic caused by the H5N1 avian flu virus is any higher now than it was last year or the year before.
“There’s been no change in the way that the virus is behaving,” Hartl said from Geneva.
“So there’s really no reason for anyone all of a sudden to take such actions. Because today is no different from yesterday.”
Panasonic Corp. said Tuesday it has ordered families of its Japanese overseas employees to return home from countries or regions where the company believes there may be a pandemic risk. The orders were issued in December but families have until September to return to Japan.
Company spokesman Akira Kadota said employees will stay put, but families of those working in China, Asia (excluding Singapore), the Middle East, Africa, Russia and South America are to return to Japan.
(Continue . . . )
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