| Pandemic Flu general information
Reducing the risk of infection
Like seasonal influenza, pandemic influenza virus appears to be transmitted via droplets that are expelled when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes. The virus spreads when these droplets are inhaled, or when they are transferred to the mouth, nose or eyes after touching a contaminated surface or contaminated skin.
The following basic personal hygiene practices will help to protect you and others from influenza; seasonal or pandemic:
- Avoid close contact (less than one metre) with anyone showing influenza-like symptoms.
- Clean your hands thoroughly and regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and put used tissues straight in the bin. If you don’t have a tissue, cough into the crook of your elbow rather than your hand.
If you feel unwell and have a high fever, cough or sore throat, stay at home. Don’t go to work, school or other place where people gather.
It is important to remember that people with the influenza virus can spread the infection before any symptoms appear.
For more information about preparing your business for pandemic influenza and to purchase pandemic stockpile supplies please contact the office on 1300 662 328.
Pandemic alert phases
The World Health Organisation’s pandemic phase system indicates of the level of pandemic risk based on the progress of a potential pandemic strain through animal (or bird) and human populations and helps national health authorities to coordinating their responses. Because different levels of risk can occur in different countries at the same time, the Australian Government has its own national alert which works alongside work the global phases.
Both the WHO and Australian Government phases are divided into three different periods: interpandemic, pandemic alert and pandemic. In addition to the six WHO phases, the Australian system adds the phase Aus 0, which indicates the absence of animal influenza types causing human disease.
| |
Australian Phase Levels |
World Health Organisation Levels |
| Interpandemic |
0.
The absence of animal influenza types causing human disease. |
Level 1.
No animal influenza virus circulating among animals have been reported to cause infection in humans. |
| |
Alert.
A novel virus with pandemic potential causes severe disease in humans who have had contact with infected animals. No effective transmission between humnas. Novel virus has not arrived in Australia. |
Level 2.
An animal influenza virus circulating in domesticated or wild animals is known to have caused infection in humans and is therefore considered a specific pandemic threat. |
| |
Delay.
Novel virus has not arrived in Australia. OS4: Small cluster of cases in one country overseas. OS5: Large cluster(s) of cases in only one or two countries overseas. OS6 Large cluster(s) of cases in two or more countries overseas. |
Level 3.
An animal or human-animal influenza reassortant virus has caused sporadic cases or small clusters of disease in people, but has not resulted in human-to-human transmissions sufficient to sustain community-level outbreaks. |
| Pandemic |
Contain.
Pandemic virus has arrived in Australia causing small numbers or cases and/or small number of clusters. |
Level 4.
Human-to-human transmission of an animal or human-animal influenza reassortant virus able to sustain community-level outbreaks has been verified. |
| |
Sustain.
Pandemic virus is established in Australia and spreading in the community. |
Level 5.
The same identified virus has caused sustained community level outbreaks in two or more countries in one WHO region. |
| |
Protect.
Pandemic virus is mild in most cases, but sever in some and moderate overall. This phase sits alongside Contain and Sustain phases with a greater focus on treating and caring for those more vulnerable to severe outcomes. |
Level 6.
In addition to Phase 5 criteria, the same virus has caused sustained community level outbreaks in at least one other country in another WHO region. |
| Postpandemic |
Control.
Customised pandemic vaccine widely available and is beginning to bring the pandemic under control. |
Post Peak Period.
Levels of pandemic influenza in most countries with adequate surveillance have dropped below peak levels. |
| |
Recover.
Pandemic controlled in Australia but further waves may occur if the virus drifts and/or is re-imported into Australia. |
Post Pandemic Period.
Levels of influenza activity have returned to the levels seen for seasonal influenza in most countries with adequate surveillance. |
Darker boxes indicate the current levels of alert. |
