5 May 2009
Dear British Residents,

I am writing to you today in connection with the current outbreak of Influenza A/H1N1 (“swine flu”). You will be aware of the international concern that this might trigger a global human flu pandemic. This letter sets out what the British Trade & Cultural Office could and could not do for you in the event of a pandemic affecting Taiwan. It gives details of some further sources of information and practical suggestions and advice you might want to consider.

What steps might you wish to take? It would be sensible for you to consider now whether you would have access to anti-viral drugs and appropriate medical facilities should a pandemic occur.  Those of you working here or in the region should speak to your employers about their contingency plans for a pandemic. Such plans may include access to anti-viral treatment for employees and/or repatriation to the UK. Please note that the British Trade & Cultural Office cannot provide medical treatment (including anti-viral medication).

I suggest also that you visit the websites of Taiwan’s Centre for Disease Control (http://www.cdc.gov.tw), the World Health Organisation (www.who.int) and the UK Department of Health (www.dh.gov.uk/pandemicflu). These websites give important information to help you consider your options and prepare for a possible flu pandemic. They also advise on precautions you might take to reduce your risk of infection. We have also updated our own website to include information on the swine flu outbreak.

We are continuing to monitor developments closely. As I write, our travel advice for Taiwan remains unchanged.  But you may find it helpful to monitor the advice regularly (http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/taiwan). The www.fco.gov.uk website gives country specific information on other places you may be planning to visit.

If this recent outbreak did become a pandemic, and the pandemic reached Taiwan, the likely disruption to transport, healthcare, and other local services would mean that the level of consular-type assistance and the visa service we could provide would be significantly reduced. In extreme circumstances we might even have to close the BTCO temporarily to prevent the spread of infection. We would however seek to maintain a basic service during any crisis, including keeping our website and travel advice up to date, the capacity to answer telephone and email enquiries and the provision of emergency assistance. You should also be aware that, while there is nothing to suggest any such probability at this time, the British Trade & Cultural Office would not be able to arrange for the evacuation of the British community in the event of the WHO declaring a pandemic.

This letter is being sent via our Warden network to all British nationals registered with us on LOCATE.  We are also placing it on the BTCO website. If you are reading this on our website, and are not registered, I would urge you to do so promptly at (https://www.locate.fco.gov.uk/locateportal). Registering with us in this way will ensure that we can contact you quickly and efficiently in case of any emergency.  And last, I should be grateful if you would please alert fellow Britons whom you know in case they are not aware of this letter.

Yours sincerely,
David Campbell