ID :
65594
Sat, 06/13/2009 - 13:54
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/65594
The shortlink copeid
Australian flu alert level unchanged
Australian flu alert level unchanged
Australia will not raise its swine flu alert levels, despite the World Health
Organisation (WHO) declaring a pandemic.
Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon insisted that despite WHO's escalation, the
influenza A(H1N1) virus remained mild.
Most of Australia will remain at the contain stage except Victoria, which has the
majority of the cases and is at the modified sustain level.
That approach is "consistent" with advice from public health officials, Ms Roxon
said on Friday.
"We believe we can continue with our targeted effort to treat those most at risk in
Victoria and to continue to try and delay the community spread in those
jurisdictions where there are not large numbers of cases," Ms Roxon told reporters
in Melbourne.
The community must realise the government can now do little to stop the spread of
the potentially-deadly virus, she admitted.
"This is now a pandemic that is sweeping across the world."
WHO's decision to lift its alert level for the A(H1N1) virus to phase six makes the
swine flu outbreak the world's first influenza pandemic in 40 years.
As the virus spreads over the next few weeks it is likely the rest of the country
will follow Victoria's lead and change their alert levels.
There have been 1,336 cases of swine flu recorded by the federal government in
Australia, with 1,011 in Victoria.
Six people across the country are in hospital with the virus - four in intensive
care in Victoria.
The other two are not in a critical condition and are in Tasmania and South Australia.
But Ms Roxon refused to give any specific details of those cases.
"I'm not going to make a practice of reporting the particular details of each case,
both for the privacy of the people concerned and because it's the state health
ministers and officials who will have the most up to date information as a
particular patient's condition might change."
But those who have been admitted to hospital have "generally" had pre-existing
complications such as morbid obesity or respiratory conditions.
There are still no plans to cancel sporting matches or major public events.
"Being in a large public space at an open event doesn't present any additional risk
than standing here at a press conference, going on a tram or train or to work," Ms
Roxon said.
She said if the virus mutated into a more deadly disease that would be reassessed.
"But we're a long way from that."
It was hoped a vaccine for the rapidly-spreading virus would be available within the
next two months.
"The closer we can have the peak of the disease to the time that we have a vaccine
available, the more likely we will be able to provide that to most at risk in the
community."
Meanwhile, the federal government is giving $4 million to medical bodies to provide
extra training on preparing for pandemics, training and infection control and the
use of protective equipment.
That help was requested by GPs, Ms Roxon said.
There have been 115 cases in New South Wales, 77 in Queensland, 43 in Western
Australia, 35 in the ACT, 31 in South Australia, 13 in Tasmania, and 11 in the
Northern Territory.
Queensland Health said on Friday its swine flu tally had risen to 90, with 13 new
cases reported throughout the day, while NSW Health said 141 people in NSW had been
confirmed with the virus.
Australia will not raise its swine flu alert levels, despite the World Health
Organisation (WHO) declaring a pandemic.
Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon insisted that despite WHO's escalation, the
influenza A(H1N1) virus remained mild.
Most of Australia will remain at the contain stage except Victoria, which has the
majority of the cases and is at the modified sustain level.
That approach is "consistent" with advice from public health officials, Ms Roxon
said on Friday.
"We believe we can continue with our targeted effort to treat those most at risk in
Victoria and to continue to try and delay the community spread in those
jurisdictions where there are not large numbers of cases," Ms Roxon told reporters
in Melbourne.
The community must realise the government can now do little to stop the spread of
the potentially-deadly virus, she admitted.
"This is now a pandemic that is sweeping across the world."
WHO's decision to lift its alert level for the A(H1N1) virus to phase six makes the
swine flu outbreak the world's first influenza pandemic in 40 years.
As the virus spreads over the next few weeks it is likely the rest of the country
will follow Victoria's lead and change their alert levels.
There have been 1,336 cases of swine flu recorded by the federal government in
Australia, with 1,011 in Victoria.
Six people across the country are in hospital with the virus - four in intensive
care in Victoria.
The other two are not in a critical condition and are in Tasmania and South Australia.
But Ms Roxon refused to give any specific details of those cases.
"I'm not going to make a practice of reporting the particular details of each case,
both for the privacy of the people concerned and because it's the state health
ministers and officials who will have the most up to date information as a
particular patient's condition might change."
But those who have been admitted to hospital have "generally" had pre-existing
complications such as morbid obesity or respiratory conditions.
There are still no plans to cancel sporting matches or major public events.
"Being in a large public space at an open event doesn't present any additional risk
than standing here at a press conference, going on a tram or train or to work," Ms
Roxon said.
She said if the virus mutated into a more deadly disease that would be reassessed.
"But we're a long way from that."
It was hoped a vaccine for the rapidly-spreading virus would be available within the
next two months.
"The closer we can have the peak of the disease to the time that we have a vaccine
available, the more likely we will be able to provide that to most at risk in the
community."
Meanwhile, the federal government is giving $4 million to medical bodies to provide
extra training on preparing for pandemics, training and infection control and the
use of protective equipment.
That help was requested by GPs, Ms Roxon said.
There have been 115 cases in New South Wales, 77 in Queensland, 43 in Western
Australia, 35 in the ACT, 31 in South Australia, 13 in Tasmania, and 11 in the
Northern Territory.
Queensland Health said on Friday its swine flu tally had risen to 90, with 13 new
cases reported throughout the day, while NSW Health said 141 people in NSW had been
confirmed with the virus.
