Pandemic Influenza

Pandemic Influenza

Objectives

• To provide information on:– Influenza vs swine influenza– Basic infection prevention and control

• Understand how you can assist with:– Encouraging infection control– Allaying Staff and Student concerns– Helping those who may be ill– Supporting for your HoD’s (and vice versa)– Keeping yourself safe

Pandemic Management

Crisis Management Team

CMT (Support)Specialist Advisors

Health & Safety Network

Seasonal PandemicUsually some immunity built up from previous exposure

No previous exposure; little or no pre-existing immunity

Health systems can usually meet public and patient needs

Health systems may be overwhelmed

Vaccine developed based on known flu strains and available for annual flu season

Vaccine probably would not be available in the early stages of a pandemic

Generally causes modest impact on society (e.g., some school closing, encouragement of people who are sick to stay home)

May cause major impact on society (e.g. widespread restrictions on travel, closings of schools and businesses, cancellation of large public gatherings)

Seasonal PandemicOutbreaks occur annually, usually in winter, in temperate climates

Occurs rarely (three times in 20th century - last in 1968)

Healthy adults usually not at risk for serious complications; the very young, the elderly and those with certain underlying health conditions at increased risk for serious complications

Healthy people may be at increased risk for serious complications

Symptoms: fever, cough, runny nose, muscle pain. Deaths often caused by complications, such as pneumonia.

Symptoms may be more severe and complications more frequent

Manageable impact on domestic and world economy

Potential for severe impact on domestic and world economy

Seasonal Influenza

• Caused by a virus

• Most common in winter

• Easily passed from person to person

• More serious than the common cold

• Symptoms may last for up to 10 days

Swine (H1N1) Influenza

• Little or no human immunity – Increased numbers /populations

affected– More serious symptoms– Higher mortality

• Scope and rapid spread will stretch existing healthcare resources

• Economic and social disruption• Currently no vaccine

Symptoms of Swine Flu

• May include– Fever, chills– Muscle pains– Headache– Cough, sore throat, runny nose– Fatigue– Nausea, vomiting or diahorrea (40% of

confirmed cases)

Infection Prevention and Control• How is influenza spread?

– Droplets from coughs and sneezes– Hand to hand, – Mouth to mouth– On surfaces such as door handles and

used tissues

• Swine flu - can remain on surfaces for minutes or up to 8 hours

Infection Control – Wash and Dry Hands

•Before preparing food and eating•After coughing, sneezing or blowing nose

•After using the toilet•Often when looking after sick people

Infection Control

• Wash and dry hands properly– Wash hands for at least 20 seconds– Dry hands thoroughly

• Keep coughs and sneezes covered• Put tissues straight into the rubbish bin• Social distancing

– stay at least a metre away from sick people

• Keep areas ventilated

How You Can Help - Encourage Infection Control• Look after yourself!• “Challenge” others:

– “I trust you intend to wash your hands”– “Could you cover your cough please– “Should you be at work with a cough like…”– “I would happier if you stayed at home until….”

• Be assured - it is okay to give feedback to protect your health

• Offer to assist / educate staff– (or get someone else to)– Additional posters – Discussions

Allay Staff and Student Concerns• An emotionally-charged employee may be a

safety hazard• Use active listening, reflect concerns• Get assistance for key staff to work

from home• Work with your HOD

Allay Staff and Student Concerns• Steer them to the facts:

– Professional advice • Public Health – Healthline 0800 611 116 • Regional Health and Safety Advisor • Own GP or Doctor

– Massey position considers• Clinical risk (what does MoH recommend?)• Comparative risk (other organisations may

respond differently to Massey)

Help those who may be ill• If someone has been coughing and is ill:

– Isolate– Check their welfare– Strongly encourage them to recover at home– Arrange clean of common items (eg keyboard, shared

desk) including public areas• RFM - routine clean (let them know which area)• RFM - special clean – for campuses with work time

services• Arrange own supplies for ‘at risk areas’

– E.g. reception counter, waiting areas, exam rooms, libraries

• Log ill cases via Health & Safety Advisor or as notified

Keep Yourself Safe• Follow the basic infection control principles to

prevent the spread of influenza (ie, hand hygiene, cough and sneeze etiquette, social distance).

• Mask and gloves are only if you need to be closer than a metre when caring for a sick person.

• During cleaning– Dispose of cleaning materials to rubbish.– Wash hands afterwards

If You Become Ill

• Arrange a colleague to cover• After the “worst of it”:

– Phone messages– Email– Web accesses– VPN

Work with your HoD

• Perhaps you can:– Coordinate After-hours contacts details– Facilitate remote working – Define critical services– Reinforce hygiene messages– Assist others to plan for public /staff

interactions

Work with your HoD

• Perhaps your HOD can:– Reinforce the importance of your role

with staff– Prompt discussions on contingencies

• “have you considered how to manage this function with 1/3rd of our staff?”

– Assist with resourcing for you

Resources That May Help

Resources That May Help (cont)

Resources That May Help(cont)

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Resources That May Help

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Questions

Thank you for your support of health

and safety!