SAP shuts down Indian offices after employees infected with swine-flu
German software giant, SAP, has shut down its Indian offices temporarily after two employees of their Bengaluru office tested positive for the H1N1 virus (swine flu). Offices in Bengaluru, Gurugram, and Mumbai have been closed for "extensive sanitization", the company said. As per a communication that was circulated, all employees have been directed to work from home between February 20 and 28.
The situation is being monitored closely, said SAP
The Bengaluru office of SAP is located at RMZ Ecoworld at the Sarjapur-Marathahalli Outer Ring Road, and the employees who contracted the virus operated from there. After the serious medical concern, the company assured its employees that the situation is being monitored closely. The campus will be extensively sanitized and fumigated in the next two days as a remedial measure, the company said.
SAP said health of employees is important
"Detailed contact tracing that infected colleagues may have come into contact with is underway. The health of our employees and their families is of utmost priority, as a precautionary measure, all the SAP India Offices across Bangalore, Gurugram, and Mumbai have been closed," SAP said.
If anyone in family develops symptoms, seek medical advice: SAP
Further, the employees were suggested to keep an eye for symptoms among their family members. "If anyone of you or your family members have any symptoms of cold, cough with fever please seek medical advice. In this situation, your understanding and cooperation are highly appreciated. It's critical that we provide the current information and guidance to help limit the spread of the H1N1 virus," the internal note added.
In 2009, WHO declared swine flu as a pandemic
Swine flu took the focus of global media in 2009 when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a pandemic. Though its symptoms are similar to seasonal flu and include fever, chills and sore throat, it has turned out to be fatal in some cases. In January 2019 alone, swine flu took the lives of at least 169 people across India. Over 4,571 cases were reported.
Influenza kills more than 6 lakh people every year
In North India, swine flu typically makes an appearance between January and March, right before summer sets in. It resurfaces during monsoons and stays until its end. WHO warned that influenza shouldn't be ignored as it kills nearly 6,50,000 people around the globe every year. "Influenza may not always be thought of by most people as a serious illness," the world body noted.
