SITUATION REPORT
DHS EMERGENCY COORDINATION CENTRE
INCIDENT/EMERGENCY NAME: H1N1 Influenza 09 (Human Swine Influenza)
SITUATION REPORT NUMBER: DHS Sit Rep No. 39
DATE/TIME PREPARED: 10 June 2009 – 1700 hours
INCIDENT CLASSIFICATION: High
KEY DEVELOPMENTS SINCE THE LAST REPORT
• As of 06:00 GMT, 8 June 2009, 73 countries have officially reported 25,288 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection, including 139 deaths.
• As at 1600hrs there are 1011 confirmed cases in Victoria.
• VHEC continues to monitor hospital demand and in-patient admissions.
• VHEC is working with Public Health to ensure hospitals have access to Tamiflu from the DHS stockpile.
• VHEC has distributed to hospitals, information and a copy of the revised Public Health Emergency Order enabling division 1 registered nurses to supply Tamiflu in accordance with the approved clinical case definition.
CURRENT SITUATION
• Victoria moved to a modified Sustain Phase of the Influenza Plan on 3 June 2009.
• The WHO convened a third meeting of the International Health Regulations (IHR) Committee on 5th June 2009. The Director-General noted that with the world remains in Pandemic Influenza Phase 5 and reaffirmed that WHO will continue to monitor the situation closely in all countries reporting cases of new Influenza A (H1N1). Based on the advice of the Committee, the Director-General determined that it was appropriate to continue the existing Temporary Recommendations, namely:
o That all countries intensify surveillance for unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia.
o Not to close borders and not to restrict international travel. It is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following travel to seek medical attention.
o That the production of seasonal influenza vaccine should continue at this time, subject to re-evaluation as the situation evolves [WHO 5 June 2009].
• All persons quarantined in Victoria have been contacted and either released from quarantine or provided with a revised period of quarantine where appropriate.
o Regions are continuing to work with local government to assist confirmed cases that require household support
• Agreement with the Pharmacy Guild for Community Pharmacy distribution has been settled. 49 Pharmacies have been identified and antiviral medication shipped to them. DHS has rung each pharmacy and briefed them on procedures.
• Updated communication to doctors, pharmacists and professional associations has been disseminated on the revised antiviral access model.
• Operations at the Integrated Emergency Coordination Centre (iECC) have ceased.
• Victoria has adopted the national recommendation that returning school children from affected overseas countries self-quarantine for seven days before returning to school.
• Current border control measures at international airports remain in place and community surveillance measures are continuing.
• Various local regional meetings are occurring to discuss planning and preparedness if implementation is required of Community Influenza clinics.
KEY ISSUES TO ADDRESS
• Review of workforce needs over remainder of the week.
• AHPC meeting in Sydney today to discuss continued Australian response requirements.
STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT
• National level coordination through AHPC with appropriate consultation with states and territories and CDNA/PHLN.
• Border measures maintained to slow importation of disease into Australia; this will require a decision on the timing of withdrawal of this, due to the establishment of community transmission in Victoria.
• Testing is now confined to those individuals at high risk of complications from influenza, and those in high risk settings such as aged care facilities. Treatment and prophylaxis with anti-virals are now being dispensed to persons meeting the clinical case definition.
• Health facilities and the GP sector have been provided with information on case management including referral to Public Health for consultation and further management.
• Continue to monitor global status and updates for changes in spread of the virus.
MEDIA MANAGEMENT & PUBLIC INFORMATION
• DHS is the lead agency for implementation of the WOVG communications strategy - this is underway.
• Interdepartmental communication is with the Senior Communications Officers, and IDC and this is occurring.
• WoVG communications and media meetings are now being held.
• Ongoing resourcing for communications continuing, including a liaison officer from the education department working with DHS communications.
• Today’s media release yet to be received.
• The last media release was on Monday and is available on the website. This has also been sent to the CALD community.
• Health professionals alert sent out over the weekend.
• CHO Health Professionals alert in progress.
• Organising the CHO to present to the CALD community, this is in progress.
• Auslan script drafted for CHO to present to the Auslan community, still in progress.
• HACC fact sheet signed off and will be distributed to the regions via email.
• Website continued to be updated.
• Updated fact sheets for the CALD community complete and now live on the website.
• Issues log updated.
• All current fact sheets have been uploaded to Pan comm for other states to use if required.
• Stakeholder matrix continuing to be developed.
• All previous fact sheets updated to reflect the ‘modified-sustain’ phase.
NEXT SITREP DUE AT: 1600hrs, Thursday 11 June
Prepared by: Vanessa Coli
Authorised by Controller: Rodney Moran
