Communication to Staff

Communication to Staff

• Wednesday 29 July 2009
  
• Wednesday 17 June 2009
• Wednesday 3 June 2009
• Friday 8 May 2009
• Thursday 30 April 2009

Wednesday 29 July 2009

Dear Colleagues,

The winter months are a time when influenza is more common. As a result, it is important to note some basic personal hygiene steps currently being encouraged by health authorities, particularly given the presence of H1N1 strain of the virus in NSW.

There are a number of basic precautions which can assist in reducing the risk of contracting or spreading influenza:

• Regularly wash your hands throughout the day, particularly after contact with others who may be unwell.
• Where you are not in the vicinity of soap and water you could consider personal use of  an alcohol-based hand sanitiser gel, which is commonly available for purchase from pharmacies and supermarkets.
• If possible, keep a reasonable distance (about a metre) during your contact with people who indicate that they have been diagnosed with H1N1 influenza, or think they may have this illness.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Limit personal contact (i.e. handshaking) where possible.
• Wipe flat or shared surfaces at work with a disinfectant wipe regularly throughout the day. Disinfectant wipes are available for purchase from the University's contracted stationery supplier, Corporate Express (eg Kimtech Prep Sanitiser Wipes, Product Code 86716832) or from pharmacies or supermarkets.
• Practice personal hygiene in staff rooms and where there is shared preparation of food.
• Don't attend work if you are ill, and go home if you fall ill during the day.
• Seek medical advice from your General Practitioner, and do this with minimal delay if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are pregnant.
• Staff with pre-existing medical conditions or who are pregnant may, after seeking medical advice, wish to discuss with their supervisors strategies to reduce their risk of exposure.
• Let your supervisor know if you are suspected or confirmed as having Human-Swine Flu and will be absent from work, or are caring for a family member with this illness.

For further information on H1N1 influenza, please visit the Australian Government's website.

The New South Wales Department of Health website also includes updated information about H1N1 Influenza as well as information for those groups who have been identified as 'at risk':

• Advice on Managing the Flu this Winter

The University will continue to monitor the  H1N1 Influenza situation, respond according to WHO and Australian Government advice and recommendations, and communicate updated information to staff as it becomes available.

Please visit the Influenza Information page at Health and Travel Advice on the UWS website for regular updates.

Andrew Robb
Manager, Occupational Health,
Safety & Information Services

Wednesday 17 June 2009

Dear Colleagues,

There are now two confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1) which have been reported to the University. The students concerned are not attending the University and they had no contact while contagious in classes or exams.

All campus classes and activities, including scheduled examinations, are operating normally. However, the University is closely monitoring the situation and will be guided by the advice and recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Australian Government.

The University's is currently implementing plans to respond to this situation. Our guidelines detail the University's plan of action at every potential stage, including local or campus closures if necessary.

We will keep you informed.

Procedures are in place for students and staff to report suspected or confirmed influenza A(H1N1), and to identify and notify staff, students and visitors who may have been in contact with this person recently.

While the University does not supply masks, staff are permitted to wear an appropriate P2 or N95 compliant mask in the workplace, if they choose. Most pharmacists are selling these at a minimal cost.

Please continue to practise hygiene measures to assist in minimising the spread of influenza viruses in the community and across the University.

The NSW Department of Health recommends washing your hands regularly, covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, avoiding physical contact with sick people, and staying at home when sick.

If you display flu-like symptoms, please stay at home, advise your supervisor and seek medical advice. If a medical practitioner suspects or confirms that you have influenza A(H1N1), please advise Andrew Robb, Manager Occupational Health, Safety and Information Services, immediately on 9852 5177 or at a.robb@uws.edu.au.

Please visit the Influenza Information page at Health and Travel Advice on the UWS website for regular updates.

Professor Janice Reid
Vice-Chancellor

^ Back to top

Wednesday 3 June 2009

Dear Colleagues,

Currently, the alert level for Australia is "Contain", reflecting the fact that Australia has a small number of influenza A(H1N1) cases. The aim of this phase is to contain the spread of the virus within Australia.

The University is continuing to closely monitor the situation and be guided by the advice and recommendations issued by the World Health Organization and the Australian Government.

Simple hygiene measures can help to minimise the spread of influenza in the community and workplace.

The NSW Department of Health recommends:
* washing your hands regularly
* covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing
* avoiding physical contact with sick people
* staying at home when sick.

If you display flu-like symptoms, please stay at home, advise your supervisor and seek medical advice. If a medical practitioner suspects or confirms that you have influenza A(H1N1), please advise Andrew Robb, Manager Occupational Health, Safety and Information Services, at a.robb@uws.edu.au or on 9852 5177.

Staff considering travel overseas should regularly check the Commonwealth travel advice on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.

If you have any concerns or questions about University-related travel, please speak with your supervisor or contact our Travel Manager, Anne Hennessy (a.hennessy@uws.edu.au). For queries related to travel insurance, please contact Marion Jones (ml.jones@uws.edu.au).

More information about influenza can be found on the Health and Travel Advice website, which includes website links and responses to Frequently Asked Questions.

Please check this site regularly for updates.

Professor Janice Reid
Vice-Chancellor

^ Back to top 

Friday 8 May 2009

 
Dear Colleagues,

To date there have been no confirmed cases of swine influenza, now named influenza A(H1N1), reported in Australia.

However, in the interests of the safety of its staff and students, the University is closely monitoring the situation and will be guided by the advice and recommendations issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Australian Government.

The University has developed UWS Pandemic Response Guidelines, which are in accordance with the WHO 'Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response' guidelines and the Australian Government's 'Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza'.

All staff and students have been advised to regularly refer to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, WHO and Department of Health and Ageing websites for Commonwealth travel advice and updates on the prevalence of suspected or confirmed cases.

A link to the Department of Health and Ageing website has been added to the University's Occupational Health and Safety website page.

We will continue to monitor the situation, respond according to WHO and Australian Government advice and recommendations, and communicate updated information to staff as it becomes available.

In the meantime, if you have any concerns or questions about University-related travel, please speak with your supervisor or contact our Travel Manager, Anne Hennessy(a.hennessy@uws.edu.au). For queries related to travel insurance, please contact Marion Jones (ml.jones@uws.edu.au).

Professor Janice Reid
Vice-Chancellor

 ^ Back to top

Thursday 30 April 2009
 

Dear Colleagues,

As you know, official reports by the World Health Organization, the US Centre for Communicable Disease Control and Canadian Health authorities of outbreaks of a new strain of swine influenza in the USA and Mexico are generating significant media attention. There is concern that this new strain of swine influenza has pandemic potential and yesterday the World Health Organization raised the alert to five on a scale of six.

In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and trade (DFAT), in conjunction with the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA), are monitoring the outbreak and any implications for overseas travel.

The following countries have reported confirmed cases of swine flu: Austria, Canada, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, Spain and the United Kingdom but there are no current Government advisories warning against travel to these areas, although this could change at any time.

In relation to travel to Mexico, the current government travel advice is "reconsider your need to travel". UWS staff cancelling previously planned travel to Mexico on University business will be reimbursed by our insurers in this instance.

Before considering travel to overseas destinations you should check the websites sites listed below for updates on the prevalence of suspected or confirmed cases and the current Commonwealth Travel Advice.

• DFAT
  
• WHO
  
• DoHA

Please be aware that the status of any affected countries in relation to travel may change at any time and this can be checked readily by looking at the DFAT website. If staff have any concerns or questions about University-related travel they should speak with their supervisor or by email with our Travel Manager, Anne Hennessy (a.hennessy@uws.edu.au). 

This email will also be posted on e-Update and we will continue to post further information there as needed. 

Professor Janice Reid
Vice-Chancellor

^ Back to top