18 June 2009: Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 is a new strain of flu. The community has no natural immunity and there is no vaccine. While initial cases of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in Australia have been mild in most cases, severe in some and moderate overall, there is still risk of serious health complications for people with existing respiratory disease, diabetes, obesity, immune suppression and pregnant women. Symptoms The symptoms of H1N1 Influenza 09 are like normal flu symptoms – high temperature; cough; runny or stuffy nose; sore throat, body aches; head ache; chills; tiredness. With H1N1 Influenza 09 some people have also had diarrhoea and vomiting.
How it spreads
- Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 is spread through three main ways: Droplet transmission: droplets may be spread by coughing, sneezing, or talking.
- Direct contact transmission: this occurs during skin-to-skin or oral contact.
- Indirect contact transmission: takes place when a person has contact with a contaminated object, such as bedding, furniture or utensils, which has previously been contaminated by an infectious person.
Travel advice
There are no restrictions on travel under the PROTECT Phase. For travel information on the Health Emergency web site or Smart Traveller
Infection Control in the Workplace
General Advice
During the PROTECT phase, workplaces should focus on:
- Promoting good hand, respiratory hygiene etiquette and other infection control practices. Download information posters and brochures to help you reduce the spread of influenza in your workplace.
- Ensuring that materials needed for hand and respiratory hygiene are readily available in the workplace (e.g. tissues and receptacles for their disposal, soap and hand washing facilities and/or alcohol-based hand sanitizers).
- Encouraging and supporting staff members with acute respiratory illnesses to stay at home until they are well (that is until their symptoms have completely resolved).
- Encouraging visitors/customers with acute respiratory illness (ARI) to stay away from the workplace until they are well (that is until their symptoms have completely resolved).
- Encouraging individuals to assess whether they are in the vulnerable category of increased risk of complications of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
Staff at increased risk of complications from Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 People with existing respiratory disease, diabetes, obesity, immune suppression and pregnant women may be at increased risk of complications from Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 infections. See details on vulnerable people. (PROTECT annexe 2.l – vulnerable (PDF 96 KB))
Consideration should be given to deploying staff members who fall into one or more of these groups to areas where they are at less risk of exposure to those who may have the infection.
Customers and visitors Keeping your distance by standing or sitting back at least one metre from other people will help reduce the chances of spreading the flu virus. If someone has the flu, he or she should be separated from other people, if possible, and wear a surgical mask or face covering if possible.
While you are unwell you should not go to work or attend other public or crowded gatherings. Do not visit people who have the flu unless it is absolutely necessary.
Attending public gatherings
Gatherings of lots of people such as at football matches, church services and concerts are not discouraged during the PROTECT phase. This is because the disease is mild in most people. However there are two important considerations for people attending gatherings of large numbers of people.
- People who are unwell with the disease should always isolate themselves from others and 'protect their neighbours and the community' by staying away from gatherings and trying to limit the spread of the illness.
- People who are vulnerable to serious complications of influenza (PROTECT annex 2.l – vulnerable (PDF 96 KB)) need to consider their attendance at such events as contact with large numbers of people can increase the risk that they come into contact with the infection.
Cleaning Flu viruses can live on surfaces for several hours. Use soap and water or detergent to do regular cleaning of surfaces such as tables, benches and table tops, chairs, doors knobs. Workplace Cleaning Products poster (PDF)
Information to help you prepare your business
Preparing the workplace
Workplaces and community organisations will play a vital role in preventing, preparing for, responding to and recovering from a human influenza pandemic. Governments will actively lead the response to a pandemic, but cannot alone control and manage the spread of disease, or maintain all the essential services the community will require.
The Australian Government has a range of information to help businesses. Resources for business:
PANDEMIC PLANNING IN THE WORKPLACE 2009 will help employers and employees understand the steps they can take to minimise the impact on their workplace, and to protect staff in their workplace.
Business Continuity Guide and Small Business Kit The Australian Government Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research has developed a comprehensive Business Continuity Guide and Small Business Kit to help Australian businesses consider what impact a human influenza pandemic might have on their businesses, and to help businesses take appropriate actions to prepare themselves as best they can. Pandemic Planning in the Workplace (PDF) - developed by the Australian Government, state and territory governments, and the Australian Local Government Association will also assist in preparing your business for a pandemic. Top of page
Resources
National H1N1 Influenza 09 Update
12 noon 30 July 2009
PANDEMIC (H1N1) 2009 UPDATE BULLETIN
1200 AEST on 30 July 2009
Change in name of infection
The World Health Organization (WHO) is now referring to the current pandemic as “Pandemic (H1N1) 2009”.
National case update
At noon today Australia has 20,688 confirmed cases of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
The total number of Australian deaths associated with Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 is currently 58 with 21 deaths in NSW, 3 in the NT, 7 in Qld, 6 in SA, 3 in Tas, 16 in Victoria and 2 in WA.
Hospitalisations
There are currently 410 people in hospital around Australia with Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and 110 of these are in Intensive Care Units.
There are 4 people hospitalised in the ACT, 189 in NSW, 24 in the NT, 85 in Qld, 50 in SA, 7 in Tas, 25 in Victoria and 26 in WA.
ICU admissions: Of the 110 people currently in Intensive Care Units, there are 2 in the ACT, 47 in NSW, 5 in the NT, 28 in Qld, 8 in SA, 2 in Tas, 11 in Vic and 7 in WA.
The total number of hospitalisations in Australia since Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 was identified is 2394.
National H1N1 Influenza 09 Update 12 noon 26 July 2009
PANDEMIC (H1N1) 2009 UPDATE BULLETIN
1200 AEST on 26 July 2009
Change in name of infection
The World Health Organization (WHO) is now referring to the current pandemic as “Pandemic (H1N1) 2009”.
National case update
Note that not all Jurisdictions have been able to provide updated information due to the weekend. Data is as of 23 July for the Northern Territory, 26 of July for Queensland, South Australia, and 24 July for all other Jurisdictions.
At noon today Australia has 16, 768 confirmed cases of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
The total number of Australian deaths associated with Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 is currently 48 with 17 deaths in NSW, 3 in the NT, 5 in Qld, 5 in SA, 2 in Tas, 15 in Victoria and 1 in WA.
Hospitalisations
There are currently 365 people in hospital around Australia with Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and 105 of these are in Intensive Care Units.
There are 4 people in the ACT, 189 in NSW, 22 in the NT, 74 in Qld, 26 in SA, 6 in Tas, 28 in Victoria and 16 in WA.
ICU admissions: Of the 105 people currently in Intensive Care Units, there are 2 in the ACT, 46 in NSW, 8 in the NT, 18 in Qld, 7 in SA, 1 in Tas, 13 in Vic and 10 in WA.
The total number of hospitalisations in Australia since Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 was identified is 1938.
National H1N1 Influenza 09 Update 12 noon 30 August 2009
Change in name of infection
The World Health Organization (WHO) is now referring to the current pandemic as “Pandemic (H1N1) 2009”.
National case update
At noon today Australia has 34,543 confirmed cases of pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
Deaths
The total number of Australian deaths associated with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 is currently 150, with 2 confirmed deaths in the ACT, 41 in NSW, 6 in the NT, 35 in Qld, 16 in SA, 6 in Tas, 24 in Victoria and 20 in WA.
Hospitalisations
There are currently 416 people in hospital around Australia with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and 80 of these are in Intensive Care Units.
There is 1 person hospitalised in the ACT, 189 in NSW, 6 in the NT, 80 in Qld, 52 in SA, 7 in Tas, 22 in Victoria and 59 in WA.
ICU admissions: Of the 80 people currently in Intensive Care Units, there are 21 in NSW, 2 in the NT, 23 in Qld, 10 in SA, 9 in Vic and 15 in WA.
The total number of hospitalisations in Australia since pandemic (H1N1) 2009 was identified is 4,411.
National H1N1 Influenza 09 Update 12 noon 3 September 2009
Change in name of infection
The World Health Organization (WHO) is now referring to the current pandemic as “Pandemic (H1N1) 2009”.
National case update
At noon today Australia has 35,225 confirmed cases of pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
Deaths
The total number of Australian deaths associated with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 is currently 160, with 2 confirmed deaths in the ACT, 46 in NSW, 6 in the NT, 36 in Qld, 17 in SA, 6 in Tas, 24 in Victoria and 23 in WA.
Hospitalisations
There are currently 383 people in hospital around Australia with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and 75 of these are in Intensive Care Units.
There are 189 people hospitalised in NSW, 8 in the NT, 74 in Qld, 31 in SA, 6 in Tas, 22 in Victoria and 53 in WA.
ICU admissions: Of the 75 people currently in Intensive Care Units, there are 21 in NSW, 3 in the NT, 21 in Qld, 6 in SA, 9 in Vic and 15 in WA.
The total number of hospitalisations in Australia since pandemic (H1N1) 2009 was identified is 4533.
How it spreads Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 can spread from person to person in one of three ways:
* Droplet transmission: droplets may be spread by coughing, sneezing, or talking. * Direct contact transmission: this occurs during skin-to-skin or oral contact. * Indirect contact transmission: takes place when a person has contact with a contaminated object, such as bedding, furniture or utensils, which has recently been contaminated by an infectious person.
People can minimise the spread of the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in their community by maintaining good household and personal hygiene, staying away from people if you or they are ill, and covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
Information for Schools and Childcare School closures and student exclusion Medical evidence on the spread of influenza shows transmission in schools is a significant factor in the disease’s spread. Once influenza is in the school environment it can spread quickly, impacting families and the local community. Top of page School policies continue to be important in the PROTECT phase, however, regional or widespread closure of schools is not considered a proportionate nor appropriate intervention for Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 where disease is ‘mild in most’. Closure of educational facilities, boarding schools and child care centres is, in general, not recommended.
In the PROTECT phase:
* Children with flu-like symptoms should not attend school. * If a child becomes sick with flu-like symptoms at school they should be sent home. * School exclusion for children returning from particular countries overseas is no longer applicable.
States and territories have the flexibility to close single schools or classrooms following identification of a case (confirmed through testing), if this was considered a useful measure to prevent an outbreak in the school. This measure is most relevant in areas without recorded community transmission – person-to-person transmission outside household or Health Care settings, with no epidemiological link to a probable or confirmed case.
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