Now it's bird flu again...

Avian flu fear as mutant strain hits China and Vietnam
BBC News, 29 Aug 2011
Bird flu could come back, while a mutant strain - able to sidestep vaccines - could be spreading in Vietnam and China, the United Nations has warned.

 

See the weekly flu data
Tas Govt media release, 14 July 2011
Weekly flu data will be published for the first time this winter, to encourage Tasmanians to help prevent the spread of flu.
Deputy Director Public Health Dr Chrissie Pickin said today’s fluTAS report shows the number of Tasmanians getting diagnosed with flu is starting to increase, with 25 cases notified in the past four weeks.
●The weekly fluTAS report is available at fluTAS report 2011.
 

2011 resurgence?
Swine flu rearing its ugly head in UK
Back to school swine flu "surge"
teachers.tv, 5 Jan. 2011
Doctors are predicting a significant increase in the number of swine flu cases as children return to school following the Christmas break...
● See more 2011 swine flu news stories

Swine flu pandemic over
news.com.au, 1 December 2010
THE swine flu pandemic which claimed 213 Australian lives has been officially declared over by federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon. Details

Teen Andrew Allan died after swine flu went undiagnosed (Perth Now, 25 Sep 2010)

Swine flu cases rising in Australia (SMH, 27 Aug 2010)

Kids' swine flu vaccine withdrawn (ABC, 27 Aug 2010)

The information below was last updated on 12 February 2010.

LATEST ADVICE  |  FAQ  |  Links
Media releases  |  DPIW advice
  Keeping up to date  |  Dept of Education
Protecting yourself  |  Flu Hotline

This information for students and parents is subject to change. Check back here every day.
Updated 12 February 2010

Vaccinations suspended for children aged 5 and under

Seasonal flu vaccinations have been suspended until further notice for children aged 5 years and under.

The concerns that have led to the suspension relate to a particular type of seasonal flu vaccine and are not related to the specific swine flu vaccine.

• Read the message to Department of Education staff dated 27 April 2010.

Free swine flu vaccine now available for adults and children

GPs and most local government vaccination centres are now providing free swine flu vaccinations, the Director of public Health said in a letter sent home to parents at the beginning of term 1, 2010.

• Read Dr Roscoe Taylor's letter to parents dated 9 February 2010.

First wave appears to be over: 9 September

The first wave of the H1N1 pandemic (swine flu) appears to be over. But:

• continued attention to hygiene such as washing hands is necessary

• we still need to remain vigilant, stay home if unwell and seek early medical help if severely ill or in a vulnerable group, and

• we need to get ready for the second wave

The second wave of swine flu is expected to hit with renewed strength some time in the next nine months.

A roll-out of vaccine is being organised.

More information is available in the media release from Acting Director of Public Health, Dr Chrissie Picken.

Update for parents: 31 July

Assume it's swine flu, but you probably
don't need to see a doctor...
 

The Acting Director of Public Health, Dr Chrissie Picken, has asked schools to distribute a letter to parents and careers that includes the following points:

• If a child has flu you should now assume it is swine flu.

• Most students with flu, even swine flu, do not need to see a doctor, but if you still feel they should then phone the Flu Hotline.

• Certain people with a flu-like illness who are at high risk of severe illness from flu, however, should see a doctor as soon as possible.

• If your child has flu then they need to stay home for seven days, particularly because they could endanger the high risk people by attending school.

It is important to see the letter in order to read the detail behind these points.

- 31 July 2009

Washing hands is essential

Washing your hands properly and frequently is essential if you're going to give yourself the best chance of avoiding swine flu.

- Dated Wednesday, 22 July 2009

Changes in swine flu advice: June

In June there were changes to what students with swine flu, any flu and possible flu should do (Letter to parents and carers dated 18 June 2009 from the Acting Director of Public Health).

The new emphasis

• removes the requirement that certain people be quarantined or stay home

but

• increases protection for those who are more likely to be seriously affected by swine flu.

These VULNERABLE PEOPLE include pregnant women, those who already have heart disease, diabetes, renal disease, immune system suppression or significant obesity, and those who have asthma or other diseases that involve breathing difficulties. Aboriginal groups may be at increased risk because many already have underlying health factors.

See the Presentation for high risk groups.

For these vulnerable people, early assessment and treatment is important if their condition deteriorates. They should phone the Flu Hotline if they are concerned about the severity of their illness.

Students no longer have to stay home simply because they have travelled to Victoria or other affected places.

But students (and other people) with any kind of flu need to stay home for seven days after they first get the flu.

Those with mild illness and without underlying risk factors should self-manage in the first instance and can use over-the-counter medication.

Also, schools will not automatically be closed if a student has been in  the school with swine flu.

See:

• Questions and answers on the PROTECT phase   (Pandemic website, Thursday, 18 June 2009)

• Protect yourself (Pandemic website, Wednesday, 17 June 2009)

FLU CLINICS

There are NO LONGER any flu clinics operating in Tasmania.

Hobart's only flu clinic, at 2-4 KIRKSWAY PLACE, ceased operating on 30 August.

Like the others, it will remain on standby and be reactivated if the need arises.

(Should it re-open, then the directions to access it are: from Davey Street, turn into Sandy Bay Road, then first left at the Gladstone Street traffic lights, then first right.)

Should the flu clinics re-open then the rules for people attending will probably be only if BOTH of the following apply to them:

• they have a flu-like illness (fever plus one of the following: cough, sore throat or runny nose/nasal congestion)

AND

• they have severe symptoms or are at risk of complications.

But before going to the flu clinic you would need to phone the Flu Hotline.

PROTECTING YOURSELF

If you have flu, see What to do if you think you have flu.

If you think you may have been exposed to the flu, see What to do if you think you've been exposed to the flu

See also Presentation for high risk groups, especially if you are in a high risk group.

For advice on how best to protect yourself and others against swine flu see How can I protect myself and my children? [pdf file].

The basic advice is:

1. Know the signs of flu: fever, dry cough, sore throat, body aches and pains.

2. Use your phone straight away if you get flu symptoms within seven days of relevant TRAVEL or CONTACT. (See KEY MESSAGES at right.). Phone the Flu Hotline: 1800 358 362 (1800 FLU DOC).

3. Stay home until you have recovered.

4. Keep your distance in public - one metre or a very large step from other people.

5. Cover your cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or the inside of your arm.

6. Wash your hands often with soap or alcohol-based hand rub before touching your mouth, eyes, nose or anything that is to go into your mouth. See the special media release on washing hands (22/7/2009)

Latest media releases:

• Update on H1N1 influenza in Tasmania  (Wednesday, 9 September 2009, Department of Health and Human Services)

• Flu clinics to stand down  (Thursday, 27 August 2009, Department of Health and Human Services)

• Sixth death in Tasmania with H1N1 influenza (Monday, 17 August 2009, Department of Health and Human Services)

For the most recent media releases see Tasmanian Government Media Releases.

Department of Education

The Department of Education's Influenza and Pandemic Management page also provides useful information for teachers and parents.

Frequently Asked Questions (19 June 2009)

From the Tasmanian government's Pandemic Influenza website.

• Questions and answers about the PROTECT phase  (18 June 2009)

• Frequently Asked Questions [web page]

• Frequently Asked Questions 18 June 2009 [pdf file]

• See also information sheets placed on the Toolbox page.

Keeping up to date

• In case you missed out here is the swine flu information contained in Info, our newsletter to parents, dated Thursday 28 May and sent home on Friday 29 May (but note that letters containing updated information were sent home on 12  and 18 June):

• Letter to parents from the Acting Director of Public Health, Tasmania, dated 27 May 2009) [pdf file] - but note that students no longer need to stay home simply because they have travelled to affected areas.

• Information Sheet for Parents (Wednesday 27 May 2009) [pdf file] - note that this document has since been replaced by the expanded document above called Frequently Asked Questions 18 June 2009

Links

*The main site from which to keep up to date