What is Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu?

Swine flu is a group of influenza viruses that causes flu in pigs. Usually such infections in humans are uncommon.

The flu virus which is infecting people is a new strain of influenza A/H1N1. It is not certain how it developed. Its genetic makeup includes genes from human flu, avian (bird) flu and swine flu.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms to be aware of are:

• Sudden onset of illness
• Fever above 38 degrees Celsius
• Fatigue
• Muscle pains
• Runny nose/cough/sore throat
• In some cases, people also have vomiting and diarrhoea.

If you are unwell with the above symptoms, stay at home and self manage with paracetamol, plenty of fluids and keeping warm. If you develop more severe symptoms, or are caring for someone who does, then phone your Health Provider or the Healthline (0800 611 116). More severe symptoms include:

• difficulty breathing,
• chest pain,
• blueness around the lips,
• inability to keep fluids down,
• decrease in alertness, or confusion

What about travel?

Currently there are no official restrictions on travel. However, non-essential travel to affected areas is not recommended. If you have a trip booked to an affected area (work or pleasure), please contact the H&S office for more information.

For information on affected areas, go to:http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/beforeugo/health.shtml#flu.

For the latest Ministry of Health Travel Notice, go to:http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/influenza-a-h1n1-travellers

What if I, a workmate, or a student has just returned from overseas?

Anyone who has returned from overseas within the last seven days and is unwell, phone your doctor or the Healthline (0800 611 116) and tell them where you have travelled and that you are unwell. It is important to do this by phone before visiting your GP. Please stay away from work and phone your Supervisor/Manager, and the Health and Safety Office as soon as possible to advise of your situation.

Anyone who is placed in quarantine by Public Health , please ring your supervisor/manager and the Health and Safety Office as soon as possible to advise of your situation.

What about immunisation?

The annual flu vaccination programme has recently been completed. It is not currently known whether the flu vaccine will help to prevent Swine Flu.

Additional seasonal influenza vaccines have been purchased by the Ministry of Health and are available through your health provider.

What can you do?

Prevent the spread - find out how you can look after yourself and others and prevent the spread:

http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/influenza-a-h1n1-spread

Practice good hygiene:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue into a rubbish bin (preferably with a lid) after you use it.
• Thorough hand washing and drying, especially after you cough or sneeze.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Stay away from work if you are sick.

Stay 1 metre away from sick people to avoid illness

Have a plan for your flat or family

• Check the back page of the phone book for civil defence advice
• Be aware if any friends or family members have travelled to affected areas and follow the MoH advice (www.moh.govt.nz).

Build up your emergency supply kit

• include fever medication, non-perishable food, tissues / toilet paper

For further advice, see: http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/influenza-a-h1n1-prepare

If you are looking after others, see http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/influenza-a-h1n1-care for more information.

Advice to Students

As winter approaches, this is a good time to remind you of the usual advice regarding influenza symptoms.

What should you do if you have 'flu' symptoms?

If you have sudden onset of respiratory illness with fever > 38C, headaches, muscle aches, cough, and runny nose, then you should stay at home until you are well. If you are very unwell with these symptoms, or they have not reduced after 48 to 72 hours, then you should ring the Student Health Service for advice.

What about if I have a compulsory tutorial or laboratory class, a test coming up, or an assignment due?

As usual, you should contact the person who deals with this for the course in advance of the tutorial, laboratory, test, or the due date for the assignment.

What about swine 'flu?

At present the University is continuing with business as usual, so unless you are unwell you should attend lectures, laboratories, and tutorials as normal.

If you have the symptoms above, and you have returned from overseas within the last week, you should ring Student Health and they will advise you.

Please see the Student Health Service website for more informationhttp://www.otago.ac.nz/studenthealth

A communication has been issued to all students on self help advice during the semester break and returning the University. There are no restrictions for staff or students to stay away from the University when returning from overseals.

Message to all Students from Student Health:

Keeping yourself and others safe from Influenza A (H1N1 - Swine Flu) during the Semester Break.

During the semester break, you may be travelling around New Zealand and/or returning to New Zealand from international destinations. There are no travel restrictions in place, however the following advice is provided by the Ministry of Health:

• If you, or anyone you know, has recently travelled and is ill with influenza type symptoms, the advice is to phone the GP or Healthline (0800 611 116) or Student Health (03 4798212) for medical advice. Do not turn up at a hospital, medical centre or student health before phoning as you can spread germs to other people.
• Signs and symptoms of influenza include fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also experience diarrhoea and vomiting.
• Hand hygiene is still the single most effective measure in protecting yourself. Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them thoroughly. Alcohol-based cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as germs spread this way.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, disposing of the tissue in a lined rubbish bin with a lid or plastic bag, and then clean your hands.
• Try to avoid contact with sick people and reduce time spent in crowded settings.
• On your return to Dunedin after the semester break, if you fall ill with flu-like symptoms within four days of your return, and you believe that you need medical attention, please ring Student Health (03 479 8212). Student Health will give you up-to-date advice on your best course of action.

For more information, please see http://www.otago.ac.nz/news/swineflu.html

Health Sciences Pandemic Planning Guidelines