For up to date information regarding H1N1 Influenza 09 (Human Swine Flu) please visit:
http://www.pandemic.tas.gov.au

 

Latest update - 11 December 2009

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the great support provided throughout the Protect Phase of the H1N1 2009 Influenza pandemic.  Overall, the impact of the virus in Tasmania could be described as moderate, and most certainly the positive and diligent response from the general school community, strongly contributed to this outcome.

Senior Public Health officers have been monitoring the effects of the H1N1 virus throughout countries in the Northern Hemisphere as a possible indicator of future risk to the Australian public.  Early observations have alerted health officers to the possibility of an early wave of the virus within Australia during early 2010.


It is very important to note advice from Public Health officers who are encouraging families to take preventative action by seeking earlier intervention and immunisation via their local GP or medical centre.  You can choose to vaccinate in order to protect yourself, your family and the community.  In addition to this, when travelling overseas you are strongly encouraged to take note of recent travel warnings and seek immunisation for the H1N1 virus well prior to commencing their overseas vacation.

The National Immunisation Program has been initially focussed upon vaccinating certain groups at higher risk of exposure and those vulnerable to more severe outcomes.  The paediatric (children) vaccine for the H1N1virus is now available.  This enables an opportunity for all higher risk groups including young children and pregnant women with an option to safe guard against the spread of the virus.

The aim of the immunisation program is to raise what is known as “herd immunity” to protect the vulnerable and limit the spread of the forecast second-wave attack.  Herd immunity refers to sufficient numbers of the population being immune to a virus as to minimise its overall impact.   Previous pandemic experience suggests a second wave has the potential to be more intense and debilitating. 


Letter to DoE parents and carers Childhood Panvax December 2009.pdf

For more information, contact Armin Howald Senior Consultant (Risk Management) on 6233 7290, or go to www.education.tas.gov.au/pandemic or www.pandemic.tas.gov.au.

Again, thank you for your help and assistance in managing this important community health issue in Tasmania. 

Notification of Student Illness

Public Health officers have advised that GPs are being inundated with ill patients, and the Acting Director of Public Health is advocating a common sense approach to medical certificates during the pandemic.  In the current circumstances, certificates should not be required where parents have contacted the school and spoken with the Principal or his/her nominee and it is clear that there is a genuine illness.

Parents should, of course, seek medical treatment if they feel their child needs it, but are not required to visit a GP merely because a student has had some time away from school.

Again, thank you for your help in managing this important community health issue in Tasmania.

Letters to Parents and Carers from the Acting Director of Public Health

• Letter to Parents and Carers - Childhood Panvax
• Schools
  
• Child Care Update - December 2009
• Child Care Centres

For more information go to www.pandemic.tas.gov.au.

Staff resources are available on the Department of Education Staff Intranet.

Contact information

For more information, contact Armin Howald, Senior Consultant (Risk Management) on 6233 7290.

Fact sheets:

• Protect yourself from the flu
• Wash your hands
• Keep your distance
• Cover your cough
• Know the signs of flu
• Stay at home