Download Community Training - Pandemic Influenza

Pandemic Influenza
A Matter of Time
A Community Education Package
Package developed by:
Mary Smith
Grampians Region Infection Control Consultant
Department of Human Services
What is Seasonal Influenza?
The influenza virus circulates every year
usually in winter months (Aus)
 The influenza virus mainly attacks the nose,
throat and lungs
 Mild to severe illness depending on:


Type of virus
 Age of affected person
 General health of affected person
How is influenza spread?

Influenza is very contagious and is spread by:
 Breathing
in virus when around people who have the
flu and have been coughing, sneezing or talking
 Touching
those who are ill (shaking hands, kissing)
or their articles soiled by infected nasal or throat
discharges
 Contact
with surfaces or objects on which virus may
be present – telephone, keyboard, door knobs etc.
Especially easy to spread in crowds:

Infectious virus can be
transferred to hands from
nonporous surfaces for
at least 2 – 8 hours

Virus transfer from
porous materials to the
hands is much less
efficient – up to 15
minutes
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/healthcare/influenzaguidance.html
Work, school,
church ……..
How long does it take to get sick?

Incubation period varies from 1 -7 days
can take from 1 – 7 days from when you are
exposed to flu virus until you become ill
 It

Most symptoms resolve within 2 – 7 days
but can be longer
How long will I be infectious?

The infectious period is usually from onset
of illness until 7 days after fever has
resolved (12 years or over)
Children less than 12 years can spread
the virus for up to 21 days after onset of
illness
 A small proportion of people may spread
the virus from just before signs of illness

What are the symptoms of influenza?
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Runny nose
Sore throat
Cough
Fever
Shivers
Headache

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Muscle aches – back and
legs
Tiredness and weakness
Diarrhoea & vomiting – in
children and the elderly
Not to be mistaken with the common cold – influenza is usually
much more severe
Influenza versus The Common Cold
Influenza
Common Cold
Onset
Abrupt
Less abrupt
Symptoms
Fever 38-400C,
chills, headache,
muscle aches,
cough, sore throat
Sore throat,
runny nose,
nasal congestion
Duration
Approx. 7 days –
very unwell
Well recognised
3-7 days usually 1-2 days
Fatalities
Not reported
How serious is influenza?

Those people at greater risk include:

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The very young
The elderly
Pregnant women
People with long term illness
People with decreased immunity
How is influenza diagnosed?
A sample of nose or throat mucous is
collected using a swab
 Sample sent off by doctor for testing

What treatment is effective?
Have someone around to care for a person
who has influenza
 Ensure adequate fluids and bed rest
 Take medications to help with fever and
pain, such as aspirin (not in children) and
paracetamol
 Antiviral treatment – give within 24 hours of
onset of illness


Tamiflu or Relenza (prescribed by doctor)
How can you protect against seasonal flu?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Yearly vaccination
Attention to hygiene
Do not share eating utensils or drinks
Don’t visit people who have the flu
unless absolutely necessary
Avoid large crowds or gatherings in the
flu season
What is an influenza pandemic?

An influenza (flu) pandemic is a flu outbreak that
occurs worldwide when:
A new strain of flu virus emerges, to which no-one is
immune
2. The virus causes disease in humans
3. The virus is easily spread between humans
1.
A new influenza strain can spread rapidly across
the globe with high numbers of cases and deaths
It is over 35 years since the last flu pandemic
(history shows they occur every 10 – 50 years)
What is Avian Influenza (AI)?
Many types of avian influenza viruses
 Usually only infect birds
 Strain causing concern H5N1
 Very rarely, AI can infect both birds and
humans


Close contact with infected birds
 Causes severe flu-like symptoms in humans
 May result in death
Why are authorities worried?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is
worried that an avian influenza virus and a
human influenza virus might mix and result
in a new strain of influenza virus that can
be easily passed from person to person

This might trigger an ‘influenza pandemic’
where the virus spreads rapidly around the
world, infecting many people
What Might Happen?
Some workplaces and schools might close
 Normal health and other services may not
be available for several weeks
 You might need to care for yourself and
others at home
 There will be public announcements on
TV, radio and other media about the
pandemic

Can pandemic flu kill people?
Yes, however, there are treatments
available
 Victoria has strategies available to reduce
the spread and impact of P. Influenza
 Availability of antibiotics should reduce the
number of deaths from associated
bacterial pneumonia

What if there
is a
flu pandemic –
WHAT CAN I DO?
How can I protect myself and
others from pandemic flu?

Short of a vaccine, there are many simple
ways people can substantially reduce their
risk of being infected by or spreading the
influenza virus
Good hygiene – always important

Regardless of whether an influenza
pandemic is occurring
 Get
into good habits now
• Or cough or sneeze into your
upper sleeve, not your hands.
Maintain general good health
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Very Important If you are sick:

Stay home from work, school or
shopping when you are sick

Encourage family, friends and
colleagues to do so too

Do not get too close to
uninfected relatives and friends
Don’t Kiss Me (or anyone else)
If You Have A Cold, Flu, or Fever!

Avoid close contact with others

No kissing
 No hugging
 No sharing of food
 No sharing of drinks

Greater than one metre (> 1 metre)
Have an annual seasonal flu shot
Not a vaccine against pandemic flu but will help protect against
seasonal influenza
To prevent hand transfer of virus from
common touch surfaces - disinfect surfaces
in your home and at work
Avoid crowded public areas
If not possible – wear a mask
Whenever possible, rather than relying on the use of facemasks, close contact and
crowded conditions should be avoided during an influenza pandemic
Personal Protective Equipment
Masks worn by sick people can help stop
the spread of germs
 You can buy masks from a pharmacy. If
there is a pandemic, people will be told
how and when to use their masks
 A mask can be worn only for a short time,
and needs changing when wet from
sneezing and coughing

Quarantine – what does this mean?

Enforced isolation/separation of people
that may have been exposed to a
contagious or infectious disease

Pandemic influenza is a quantinable
disease – March 2004
What if you may have been
exposed to pandemic influenza?
You are at risk of getting the flu
 You may be isolated/quarantined 7 days
 You need to monitor your health closely

 Measure
your temperature at least daily
 Watch for symptoms of flu
 Record temperature and symptoms (if any)
daily
What if you develop symptoms?
If you develop a fever above 38oC or
higher AND/OR
 Develop any symptoms of influenza

medical attention soon – phone ahead
to doctor or local hospital
 Contact DHS on 1300 651 160
 Practice strict hygiene and keep away from
other people
 Seek
Be prepared to stay home for
several days/weeks ………..
 Individuals may be asked to stay at home for 710 days after contact with an infected person
 If you have just returned from a pandemic
influenza affected area you may be asked to stay
home for 7 days
 Work/school may be closed for a prolonged
period
Plan ahead – Have an emergency
supply of food and essentials
Emergency Kit:
First aid kit
 Extra supplies of paracetamol or ibuprofen
- for aches, pains and fever
 Tissues and plastic bags for used tissues
 Torches, spare batteries
 Radio, spare batteries
 Can opener
 Gas BBQ – don’t forget the gas bottle

Emergency food and water
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Enough for at least 7 days
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Ready to eat canned and dried food
Dried and long life milk
Snack food
Supplies for babies and small children
3 litres of water per person per day
Toilet rolls
Soap
Keeping Busy at Home

Think about things to do if you and your
family have to stay home for a couple of
weeks (e.g., books, games and videos)
DON’T PANIC BUT BE
PREPARED
Remember
And
Please note:
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The containment strategies in this presentation
are a guide only and may change depending on
State/Commonwealth discussions and best
available evidence at the time of an influenza
pandemic
It will be important to listen for public
announcements on TV, radio and other media
about the pandemic
References:

http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/healthcare/influ
enzaguidance.html

http://www.health.vic.gov.au/ideas/regulations/vi
c_influenza
DISCLAIMER:
Care has been taken to confirm the accuracy of the information presented in this guide, however,
the authors, editors and publisher are not responsible for errors or omissions or for any
consequences from application of the information in the guide and make no warranty, express or
implied, with respect to the contents of the publication.
Every effort has been made to ensure the information provided is in accordance with current
recommendations and practice. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government
regulations and the flow of other information, the information is provided on the basis that all
persons undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content.