Hi, I was asked by an agency if I was interested in a job in West Africa. It is doing the job I used to do - Vessel (Ship) Logistics. I would be working onshore in either Guinea Bissau, Senegal or Ivory Coast and making sure the vessel keeps working, doing crew changes and dealing with import/export of parts. I am assuming that this offer (very good day rate) is because the people who work for the Exploration company don't want the job because of the risk of Ebola. The above three countries are Ebola-free AFAIK. My question is this: would you take the very well paid job if it was you? I know it is a risk but I could make a lot of money in a short space of time.
I turned down a job in Saudi a few months back as I foresaw troubles looming on the doorstep. It would have been too much of a risk.
No, I think no one is giving this situation due respect, the variance in incubation period of this virus makes it incredibly dangerous once it reaches cities, which as we all know it already has, I am not sure this thing can be stopped anyway and I think it will prove hard to stop even in the USA, it is basically everyone's worst nightmare and it's not going away.
Definitely worth thinking about, the contract could lead to better work in better countries. If I was you I'd be more concerned with catching Malaria as opposed to contracting Ebola.
Thank you all so far for the replies. They are very helpful and I will see how other replies go before making a decision. I value all of the people on this forum.
I was with Swire Pacific Offshore, "n" years ago and we had a base in Cote D'Ivoire and it was perfectly pleasant. The place has has a bit of turbulence since then but people I am still in touch with reckon it, and Guinea-Bissau and Senegal, are fine. I would be leery of Nigeria. The big question with these jobs is not the place ( I worked in Papua New Guinea for Swires, and debt collected for them in post- Khomeini Iran) but the company you are working for; if its a good one they will look after you properly.
I avoided Nigeria like the plague. I spent a year in Angola but offshore. At the time they were constantly at civil war. Texaco looked after us going in and out of Luanda and out to the rig.
Been across that causeway many times when I worked in Dhahran. With all the smashed up cars that Sau'di's wrote off after drinking sessions on the island. If the money was excellent, would you have gone to Sau'di....£500-£1000 per day? I would have.
Been to Nigeria about 5 times and agree with you. Money would have to be great to go back there. Was in Luanda a few times. There were many armed men on the streets as it was not long after the civil war but I never felt threatened. The last time there was very pleasant and the bars had started opening - late 90's.
It is grim for sure, Jim. Containment seems to be a struggle in the three countries with poor infrastructure.
Personally I'd go for it. If the day rate is good just make sure there is an exit plan in place if it does all pete tong. Nothing ventured etc and it could lead onto bigger things. I'm offshore Mozambique right now and we have a small number of Nigerians on board. There was initial concerns about these chaps but to be honest I think sierra lione and Liberia are the biggest risk. I think Nigeria has only had about 5 cases so far hasn't it/ Anyway my point being is read the issues, don't do anything daft out there like like a dead body or eat any bush meat and you should be fine.
This is from our companies health outfit "Capita" this afternoon Background The current outbreak of EVD first started in December 2013 and was first reported in March 2014. This is the first documented EVD outbreak in West Africa and is the largest known outbreak of this disease. World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a “Public Health Event of International Concern” on the 8th of August 2014. Despite the ongoing efforts of local health authorities, the WHO and other aid organisations, it has not been possible to sufficiently control the current outbreak. The situation in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone is deteriorating with widespread and persistent transmission of EVD. As of the 12th of October 2014, a total of 8997 cases (confirmed, probable and suspected) and 4493 deaths reported. Nigeria, Senegal, Spain and USA have also experience importation of cases and limited local transmission has occurred: Nigeria 20 cases and 8 deaths reported. The last confirmed case was on 8 September 2014. Nigeria will be considered disease free on 21 October provided no further cases are identified. (An outbreak in a country is considered as over when 42 days has elapsed without further cases). Senegal 1 case reported and no deaths. The last confirmed case was on 5 September 2014. Senegal will be considered disease free on 18 October provided no further cases are identified. Spain 1 case and no deaths. The infected individual is an auxiliary nurse who had close contact with at least 1 of the 2 repatriated EVD cases who recently died in Madrid. USA 3 cases and 1 death. 1 case identified on 30 September in an individual that had travelled from Liberia on 20 September and developed symptoms on 24 September 2014 after arrival in the USA. The patient died in hospital on the 8th of October. As of the 16th of October, 2 of the health care workers who looked after the patient are now confirmed to have EVD and are both currently being treated in hospital. There is also a small outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As of the 9th of October 2014, there have been 68 cases with 49 deaths. This outbreak is in an isolated area and is not related to the current outbreak in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Travel The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises against non-essential travel to the main outbreak countries (Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone), except for those involved in response to the EVD outbreak. Steps have been taken by airlines to reduce risk of onward transmission from the main out break areas: · British Airways have suspended flights to Sierra Leone and Liberia until the 31 December 2014. · Air France has suspended flights to Sierra Leone. · Some other airlines have also suspended flights to Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. · Gambia Bird intends to resume twice weekly flights between London Gatwick and Sierra Leone on 17 October 2014. Screening is now taking place in airports: · Exit screening is in place at airports in the main outbreak countries. · Entry screening is in place at 5 American airports (and a tracking system for people entering the USA from the main outbreak countries). · Selective entry screening of passengers arriving on connecting flights from the 3 outbreak countries is in place at Heathrow airport in the UK. The screening procedures will be extended to Gatwick and Eurostar. The risk of travellers becoming infected with EVD remains very low. It is nevertheless important to remain vigilant as demonstrated in the recently imported cases in the USA. Oil and Gas Industry Due to the nature of the disease, robust measures must be taken to prevent the possible transmission. A single suspected infected oil worker offshore will therefore have huge impact. In this situation, the facility will most likely have to be shut down, resulting in significant loss in terms of production and economics. OGUK issued the following guidance note on the 14 October 2014: · Ensure personnel receive appropriate advice on avoiding Ebola infection prior to deployment to Ebola-affected countries. · Ensure that personnel returning from deployment to Ebola-affected countries are reminded to seek medical attention if they are unwell, or become unwell within 21 days of return, and that personnel should tell the doctor they have recently been to an Ebola-affected country. · Maintain a list of personnel returning from deployment to Ebola-affected countries to assist tin government screening procedures. · Remind personnel not to proceed offshore if feeling unwell, unless they have sought medical advice first, and that personnel should tell the doctor if they have recently been to an Ebola-affected country. · Delay any intended visit to a UK offshore installation for a worker who has been (for work or personal reasons) to an Ebola-affected country until a period of 21 days has passed since their return. · Seek assurance from their medical advisor/contractors (where relevant) that they are aware of the Public Health England and Health Protection Scotland advice on clinical assessment of suspected Ebola cases. While it is normal industry practice for workers to be advised that if they are ill they should not proceed offshore, it is recognised that some may still do so due to: · desire of not to ‘let down’ back-to-back colleague · concern about loss of income. Raise awareness and Knowledge Information on EVD should be made readily available to all: · transmitted by direct contact with blood or bodily fluid, or tissue of an Ebola-infected person or dead body, or any contaminated needles and used objects. · transmitted by handling or contact with wild animals, dead or alive, or their raw or undercooked meat. · transmitted by sexual intercourse with a sick person or with a man who has been infected with Ebola for at least 7 weeks after he has recovered – practice safe sex. Please practice strict hand-washing and other normal personal hygiene measure. Additional information: · The disease is not infectious until symptoms present. · No immunisation or cure available as yet. · Incubation period is 2-21 days. · The most common symptoms are, particularly of sudden onset, within 21 days of visiting affected areas: o Fever >38°C o Intense weakness o Headache o Sore throat o Muscle pain In the event of a possible case, the patient should be isolated in a side room immediately and contact your medical advisor or topside service provider. Do NOT send the patient to his GP or A&E. Further Information We have a very experienced and dedicated Travel Health team at Capita Health and Wellbeing. Please contact us should you require any Travel Health Advice. Regards Dr T H Janice CHIN Medical Advisor – Travel MBChB MRCGP AFTM RCPS (Glasgow)
