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Occupational Health and Safety News

Swine Flu - H1N1 Influenza 09 (Human Swine Flu)

25 September 2009 (updated as required)

Current situation

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the first global influenza pandemic in 41 years, raising the alert level to Phase 6. This phase is characterised by community level outbreaks in at least one other country in a different WHO region (from the source country). It indicates there is sustained human to human, community level transmission.

At this time the WHO considers the overall severity of the Human Swine Flu (H1N1 Influenza 09) pandemic to be moderate. This means approximately 95% of all flu-like illnesses are likely to be mild, with only 5% likely to experience severe flu-like symptoms that will require treatment.

Over the Australian winter, it has been reported that most cases of H1N1 Influenza 09 (Human Swine Flu) have experienced relatively mild symptoms similar to that of the normal winter flu and the overwhelming majority of patients are making a rapid and full recovery.

Recently the Pandemic (H1N1) Influenza vaccine has been approved by Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Government is soon to announce the commencement of the pandemic vaccination program which will be conducted by Local Medical Officers, including our University Health Service.

The pandemic vaccination program will be primarily focusing on vaccinating certain groups:-

  1. those people at higher risk of exposure (eg health care workers) and
  2. vulnerable people who may experience severe effects from pandemic influenza

but will also broaden it to the general community who wish to protect themselves.

Level of alert

The Australia pandemic alert level is in the "Protect" Phase.  This focuses intervention on the protection of those most likely to suffer from severe diseases.

Key elements of the Protect phase include:

  • Identifying those most vulnerable to the severe outcomes from H1N1 Influenza 09 infection.
  • Focusing on early treatment of those identified as vulnerable and those with moderate or severe disease
  • Voluntary home isolation for those who are sick. Contacts will not be placed into quarantine.
  • Confirmatory testing to identify H1N1 Influenza 09 is restricted to specific groups eg those with moderate to severe disease; people who may be more vulnerable to more severe outcomes and outbreaks in institutional settings. Testing would also be continued for surveillance purposes, at hospital and community level, and to monitor virus behaviour.

Dedicated flu clinics continue to operate across Victoria to support our emergency departments.

As expected at this time of year, cases of flu-like illness (which may in some cases be swine flu) are now being seen in the Monash community and are being appropriately treated in accordance with medical and Department of Human Services (DHS) guidelines.

What is Monash University doing?

At Monash University we have a specialist group currently engaged in closely monitoring the situation and ensuring the University's preparation for any changes in health alerts.

The University has arranged for the installation of portable alcohol based hand wash stations in and around all food outlets and eating areas and you are encouraged to clean your hands thoroughly before eating to limit the spread of the virus.

What can you do?

Effective hand washing and cough etiquette together with a reduction in hand to face contact, remain the most important actions that you can take to limit the spread of this virus.

Remember to:

  • Call your GP if you have an Influenza-like illness (including fever, cough, fatigue, malaise, headache and sore throat)
  • Consult your GP about receiving the standard flu injection
  • Practice good health hygiene by washing your hands regularly and practicing  cough etiquette.
  • Stay home if you are ill with flu like symptoms as this limits the spread of disease to others
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick

Travel

Given that H1N1 09 flu is prevalent in the Australian community, there is no change to the current travel advisories, particularly to areas where there is a high prevalence of reported cases of H1NI 09, refer to the Smarttraveller website.  As a result, the University does not intend to change our current travel advisories. Further information can be found at the (Monash Travel Tips) website.

As with all overseas travel, it is recommended that all Monash Staff and students have a pre travel health check with University Health Service, or their personal doctor regarding recommended vaccinations and health advice. In addition, the seasonal Influenza Vaccination is recommended.

Monash Staff and students travelling to areas that may be affected by H1N1 Influenza 09 can further reduce their risk of infection by:

  1. Careful attention to personal health hygiene and hand washing
  2. Paying attention to announcements from local government and following all local health recommendations
  3. See a doctor if you are ill with fever and other symptoms of human swine flu, and especially if you have had contact with someone with human swine flu or a severe respiratory illness in the past 7 days before becoming ill.

On return, Monash staff and students who become sick or feel unwell with respiratory or flu-like symptoms, should seek medical assessment with University Health Service or their personal doctor. They should inform their doctor, without being asked, of their recent travel destinations.

Pandemic Response Phases

Useful information sources

Tips for staying well during winter

Personal Hygiene and Cough Etiquette - Protecting yourself and others against respiratory illness

  • Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
  • Use a tissue and dispose of this once used in the waste
  • Always wash hands after coughing and sneezing or disposing of tissues
  • Keep your hands away from your mouth, nose and eyes
  • Avoid contact with individuals at risk (eg small children or those with underlying or chronic illnesses such as immune suppression or lung disease) until influenza-like symptoms have resolved.
  • Avoid contact with people who have influenza-like systems.
  • Ask people to use a tissue and cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and to wash their hands afterwards

Hand washing and Hand hygiene

The most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick is to wash your hands!

  • Hand washing is the single most important measure to reduce the risks of transmitting infection from one person to another
  • Hand washing with soap and water, alcohol-based hand rub, or antiseptic hand was should be performed regularly.Hands should be thoroughly dried, preferably using disposable tissues or towels. Use the disposable towel to open the door
  • Hand washing and drying should always be done after coughing, sneezing or handling used tissues or after touching objects, materials or hard surfaces that may have been contaminated by someone else with infectious illness
  • Hand-to-face contact such as can occur during eating, normal grooming, or smoking presents significant risks because of the potential for transmission of influenza from surfaces contaminated with wet respiratory droplets.  Hand washing should always be carried out before and after eating, grooming, smoking or any other activity that involves hand-to-face contact

Tips for the differences between seasonal influenza and the common cold

SymptomSeasonal InfluenzaCommon Cold
Fever Usual, sudden onset >38° Rare
Headache Usual and can be severe Rare
Aches and pains Usual and can be severe Rare
Debilitating fatigue Usual, early onset can be severe Rare
Fatigue and weakness Usual and can last 2-3 weeks or more after the acute illness Sometimes, but mild
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea In children <5 years old Rare
Watering of the eyes Rare Usual
Runny, stuffy nose Rare Usual
Sneezing Rare in early stages Usual
Sore throat Usual  
Chest discomfort Usual and can be severe Sometimes, but mild to moderate
Complications Respiratory failure; can worsen a current chronic condition; can be life threatening Sinus congestion or ear-ache
Fatalities Well recognized Not reported
Prevention Influenza vaccine; frequent hand-washing; cover your cough Frequent hand washing; cover your cough

Important - please remember to:

  • At the onset of flu like symptoms contact your doctor.
    When you are ill, stay at home
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
    Maintain good health hygiene practices to reduce getting the flu and passing it on to others