Keep your Yacht Crew Insured and Protected From Zika Virus

The Zika Virus has been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization. The virus spreads rapidly and affects hundreds of people across the globe. Reports suggest that the virus can cause devastating birth defects in babies and mothers who are infected during their pregnancy.

Protect Yourself From Zika Virus

Undoubtedly, it’s important to stay protected, especially when traveling (even if you are not traveling to the affected regions) across the globe. Some things which you can do to prevent mosquito bites include -

• Long sleeved shirts, long skirts, and pants are recommended which means maximum skin coverage.
• Use window and door screens, keep the air-conditioning on to keep the deadly mosquitoes out.
• Sleep under a mosquito bed net
• Use special insect and mosquito repellents which are approved by health authorities.
• Apply mosquito repellents as needs, as per instructions

Travelers, who return from places where the virus is spread, should take adequate steps, to prevent mosquito bites for at least three weeks so that they do not spread Zika to mosquitoes, which can spread the virus to others.

Crew Medical Insurance Plans

Every year, millions of people travel outside their home. If you believe your crew members have medical insurance at home and they do not need additional coverage, you should know that this kind of insurance does not cover them wherever they go. The domestic health insurance plans offer very little coverage and when traveling outside the home country, you need to have a proper international travel insurance policy which will keep you protected from all unexpected illnesses and accidents. 

For insurance quotes and information, please go to:

http://crewinsuranceservices.com/crew-insurance-services/50-international-health-insurance-.html

Just as travelers need special insurance coverage, similarly crew members of luxury mega yachts need special insurance coverage. International crew members need special coverage to keep out of pocket expenses at minimum. As an initiative to cover the treatment costs and medication with insurance protection, www.CrewInsuranceServices.com offers a variety of medical and travel insurance plans especially for luxury super yacht crew. Global crew health insurance is provided by leading insurance providers and underwriters from the US and Europe.

Crew medical insurance is of utmost importance when traveling, otherwise, your crew is totally unprotected when on foreign soil or water. In such a scenario where several regions, are threatened by the Zika virus, it is time to think about getting global crew health coverage by signing up for the most suitable crew insurance policy.

Professional yacht crew needs dependable coverage worldwide, which is just designed for their lifestyle. If you select a group major medical plans, it should cover all crew members while working on the yacht AND during their leisure time. This group plan is quite beneficial as it is primary to the vessel’s Protection and Indemnity Insurance and it covers illnesses and accidents, http://crewinsuranceservices.com/crew-insurance-services/54-group-health-insurance.html

So, what are your options? There are many affordable crew insurance policies offered by our company that take care of all such needs. You can select from different plans and options which include individual health insurance and group health insurance plans. Group plans are quite affordable and convenient to administer. If crew members change the yacht, new members can be easily added to the group plan. All old crew members who are no longer part of the yacht can be easily taken off. The member who has left the yacht can apply for an individual crew medical plan, http://crewinsuranceservices.com/crew-insurance-services/50-international-health-insurance-.html

Get in touch with Maria Karlsson at www.Crewinsuranceservices.com and learn more about how you can stay covered or to know more about insurance plans.

Health and Safety Resources for Zika Virus

The recent reports of the increase in cases of the mosquito-spread Zika virus are causing alarm in the Americas. Dr. Vanya Gant, PhD, FRCP FRCPath, an GeoBlue-contracted provider specializing in Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, has provided 12 important facts about the current Zika virus outbreak and how it could impact you.

GeoBlue has dedicated multilingual resources available 24/7 for members who are in need of medical care and assistance.

+1.610.254.8771

Find out more information about the situation:

• World Health Organization
• Centers for Disease Control

Please visit the GeoBlue member hub or download the GeoBlue member app to access your global benefits information and self-service member tools. 

12 Things You Should Know About Zika Virus

1. So what is Zika virus?

Zika virus occurs in a large number of tropical countries, and there are currently large outbreaks in Latin America and the Caribbean, and additional outbreaks in the Cape Verde islands off of Africa, and several Pacific islands. People get Zika virus when they get bitten by mosquitoes carrying it; other viruses such as Dengue and Malaria are passed on the same way. There is currently no vaccine available.

2. How do I know I am infected?

If you get bitten by mosquitoes, a few days later, Zika virus may infect you. The infection may be very mild, and in many people, will go unnoticed. Some people will, however, get symptoms, not unlike having a mild version of the flu: a low fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, as well as red eyes and a non-itchy flat rash.

3. Why the big splash then?

Zika virus has spread very considerably in Brazil for quite a while; the worry is that this has been accompanied by a large and as yet unexplained increase in the number of babies born with a condition called "microcephaly" - literally meaning "small brain", which means that normal brain development in the womb has stopped, and that these children's brains are much smaller than they should be at birth. It has yet to be determined how strong the link is between this virus and this devastating congenital abnormality. Furthermore, there are some indications that Zika infection (along with other infections) may trigger a neurological disease called Guillain-Barré syndrome, which can vary in severity from mild symptoms to life threatening paralysis. This link also remains to be proven.

4. Can the disease be imported?

Zika virus infection is transmitted primarily by mosquitoes. It can only be passed on in countries where the transmitting mosquitos live, which include Africa, Asia, the Americas and parts of southern Europe. There are, however, reports of sexual transmission by men who became ill with Zika. It is not yet known if men who become infected but are asymptomatic can pass Zika to their sexual partner.

5. Can Zika spread from human to human?

It looks increasingly likely that Zika can be transmitted sexually, albeit only occasionally. Zika can be found in semen for several weeks after recovery from infection. Travellers to regions where Zika is known to circulate should take precautions and use condoms, which are likely to be effective if used correctly and consistently. Men returning from Zika virus areas should use a condom with a female partner at risk of pregnancy, whether planned or not. The UK has been the first country to recommend that men should use condoms for 28 days if they have had no symptoms; and 6 months after recovery from proven Zika infection.

6. Is it safe to travel to Brazil and other affected countries?

The world's best health authorities are working on what this might mean for travellers to this region of the world. This is especially important for those residing in or near an affected country. People who get infected with Zika virus have a mild illness, which resolves in a few days; many won't even know they've got the virus. The problem relates to people who are pregnant; the extent of the risk of developing Guillain-Barré syndrome after infection remains to be determined.

7. What about the Olympics?

The Rio Olympics and Paralympics (5 - 21 August; 7 - 18 September) will represent one of the biggest mass gathering events ever for South America. Thankfully, this will be in Brazil's cooler months; and we know that all mosquito-borne diseases are very low there during this period. The Brazilian authorities are working hard on a new set of mosquito control measures. The exact amount of risk is considered low - but not calculated yet.

8. What's the link with pregnancy?

While a clear link between birth abnormalities and Zika virus infection in pregnancy has yet to be established, it seems self-evident that pregnant women should consider avoiding travel to areas where there is Zika virus. If travel is unavoidable, the key is an excellent anti-mosquito regimen, which could include wearing long sleeves, using insect repellent containing DEET and sleeping under insecticide-impregnated bed nets. Discuss the best protocols for you with your Obstetrician. Currently we have nothing else to fight this virus; there's no vaccine and there's no other treatment that can prevent a person developing Zika.

9. Can Zika virus be transmitted to others?

Zika virus infection is transmitted by mosquitoes. It can only be passed on in countries where the transmitting mosquito lives, which include Africa, Asia, the Americas and parts of southern Europe. It's clear that person-to-person transmission is very unlikely - but as reported recently, sexual transmission might be possible.

10. I'm pregnant and have recently visited an affected area - what should I do?

Even if you are well, you should discuss this with your Obstetrician. They will be able to advise further about the risks, although this is an area where we are learning more every day, and the full facts are not yet known. It's likely that what your doctors will decide to do is keep an extra close eye on you throughout your pregnancy, to make sure that all is well. If you have recently come back from an affected area and had, or have, symptoms suggesting a viral illness within the last 2-3 weeks, you should actively seek medical advice and state that you wish to be tested for Zika.

11. What are the tests for Zika virus infection?

There are blood and urine tests for Zika virus, but they can only be done up to 2-3 weeks after developing symptoms. The blood test in true infection is likely to be positive early on the illness; the urine test may pick the virus up some weeks later. There is no test currently available for people who have always remained well, or if the symptoms were more than 2-3 weeks ago.

12. Where can I find the latest information?

Find out more information about the situation:

• World Health Organization
• Centers for Disease Control

GeoBlue has dedicated, multilingual resources available 24/7 for members in need of medical care and assistance while visiting any of the areas where there has been an outbreak of Zika virus.

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