Occupational Health and Safety News - Avian Flu

24 June 2009

(Updated as required)

The World Health Organization (WHO), Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and Australian Government are closely monitoring the progress of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5 N1) in birds , affecting a number of countries in south and central Asia , parts of Europe and recently Indonesia and China.

At Monash University we have a Working Group currently engaged in closely monitoring the Avian Flu situation. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Australian Government of Health and Ageing have staged the phases of alert and we are presently in Phase 3 meaning human cases overseas, no or limited transmission between humans and no cases in Australia.

Avian influenza is a contagious viral infection (a type A influenza virus) that can affect all species of birds, and can cause disease in humans on rare occasions.

Although a number of human cases and deaths have been confirmed in people who had contact with chickens, the actual number of human cases around the world has been small relative to the number of outbreaks in birds.  Human cases have almost all been in people who had close contact with infected poultry, usually from their own farms.  There is is still only limited evidence to suggest human to human spread of infection.

Importantly, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have not advised against travel to any of the countries affected by avian influenza.

As with all overseas travel , it is recommended that all Monash Staff and students have a pre travel health check with University Health Service, or their personal doctor regarding recommended vaccinations and health advice. In addition, the seasonal Influenza Vaccination is recommended.

Monash Staff and students travelling to areas affected by avian influenza can further reduce their risk of infection by:

• avoiding situations where they may come into contact with farms and live bird markets;
• ensuring all uncooked poultry and eggs are handled hygienically, with careful attention to hand washing after handling, and then cooked thoroughly as proper cooking destroys the virus in poultry and eggs;
• careful attention to personal hygiene and hand washing.

In addition, in affected areas, advice on avoiding contact with cats and their faeces is prudent , since there is some evidence that these animals can be infected with the H5N1.

There is no human H5N1 avian influenza vaccine currently commercially available, although clinical trials are being conducted.

On return , Monash staff and students who become sick or feel unwell with respiratory or flu-like symptoms, should seek medical assessment with University Health Service or their personal doctor. They should inform their doctor, without being asked, of their recent travel destinations.

Further travel information can be found at the Smart Traveller website

• Frequently Asked Questions regarding Avian Influenza are found at Department of Health & Ageing
• Department of Human Services Victoria - Better Health Channel 
• World Health Organization
• United States Centre for Disease Control (CDC)
• Washing hands (PDF)
• Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) DAFF-avian influenza website and the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) website.
• Victorian Government Health Information website
• Avianinfluenza.com - a site launched by the Hon. Tony Abbott, Federal Minister for Health and Ageing
• Avian Influenza HOT LINE 1800 004 599

Tips for staying well during winter

Personal Hygiene/Cough Etiquette
Protecting yourself and others against respiratory illness

(Handwashing is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself)

• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
  • Use a tissue and dispose of this once used in the waste
  • Always wash hands after coughing and sneezing or disposing of tissues
• Keep your hands away from your mouth, nose and eyes
• Avoid contact with individuals at risk (eg small children or those with underlying or chronic illnesses such as immune suppression or lung disease) until influenza-like symptoms have resolved.
• Avoid contact with people who have influenza-like systems.
• Ask people to use a tissue and cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and to wash their hands afterwards.

Hand washing
Hand hygiene

The most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick is to wash your hands!

• Handwashing is the single most important measure to reduce the risks of transmitting infection from one person to another.
• Handwashing with soap and water, alcohol-based hand rub, or antiseptic hand was should be performed regularly. Hands should be thoroughly dried, preferably using disposable tissues or towels. Use the disposable towel to open the door.
• Handwashing and drying should always be done after coughing, sneezing or handling used tissues or after touching objects, materials or hard surfaces that may have been contaminated by someone else with infectious illness.
• Hand-to-face contact such as can occur during eating, normal grooming, or smoking presents significant risks because of the potential for transmission of influenza from surfaces contaminated with wet respiratory droplets. Handwashing should always be carried out before and after eating, grooming, smoking or any other activity that involves hand-to-face contact.

Tips for the differences between seasonal influenza and the common cold