Communication to Students

Communication to Students

• Thursday 30 July 2009
  
• Thursday 18 June 2009
• Tuesday 2 June 2009
• Tuesday 5 May 2009

Thursday 30 July 2009

Dear Students,

The winter months are a time when influenza tends to be 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 (Swine Flu) 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, commonly available for purchase from pharmacies and supermarkets.
• Where possible, keep a reasonable distance (about a metre) during your contact with people who indicate that they have been diagnosed with influenza (or H1N1 influenza), or think they may have this illness.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

Throw the tissue in a rubbish bin after you use it. Then wash your hands.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Limit personal contact (i.e. handshaking) where possible.
• Wipe flat or shared surfaces in your household or shared spaces with a disinfectant wipe regularly throughout the day. Disinfectant wipes are available for purchase from pharmacies or supermarkets.
• Practice personal hygiene in class rooms and where there is shared preparation of food.
• Don't attend the University 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.
• Let the University know by calling 1800 632 885 if you are suspected or confirmed as having H1N1 influenza and will be absent from University.

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 students 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

Thursday 18 June 2009

Dear Students,

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 in classes or exams while contagious.

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.

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 and seek medical advice. If a medical practitioner suspects or confirms that you have influenza A(H1N1), please contact 1800 632 885 to inform the University.

For further information you can contact the number listed above or visit the Health and Travel Advice page on the UWS website for regular updates.

Professor Janice Reid
Vice-Chancellor

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Tuesday 2 June 2009

Dear Students,

The University is currently implementing UWS Pandemic Response Guidelines, which are in accordance with the World Health Organization 'Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response' guidelines and the Australian Government's 'Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza'.

All campus classes and activities, including scheduled examinations, are currently operating as normal. The University is closely monitoring the situation and will be guided by the advice and recommendations issued by the World Health Organization and the Australian Government.

If you display flu-like symptoms, please stay at home and seek medical advice. If you are sick during the scheduled examination period, please obtain a Medical Certificate and follow the steps as outlined on the Examinations web pages. If you are ill and cannot sit an exam you will need to apply for a deferred examination.

Alternatively, if you become ill during an exam or are ill and cannot sit a deferred exam you can apply for special consideration. More information is available on the Special Consideration section of the Examinations website.

Please regularly check the Exam Timetable web page for information and updates related to exams during the formal and deferred exam period.

While the University does not supply masks, you are permitted to wear an appropriate P2 or N95 compliant mask during examinations, if you wish.

Most pharmacists are selling these at a minimal cost. You will, however, be required to briefly remove the mask for identification purposes.

Please continue to practise hygiene measures such as washing your hands regularly, covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, avoiding physical contact with sick people, and staying at home when sick, as recommended by the NSW Department of Health. This will assist in minimising the spread of influenza viruses in the community and across the University.

If you have any queries, please contact UWS on 1800 632 885 or visit the Health and Travel Advice website for more information.

Professor Janice Reid
Vice-Chancellor

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Tuesday 5 May 2009

Dear Students,

As you are probably aware, the World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concerns about the outbreak of a new strain of swine influenza, now named influenza A(H1N1), in the USA and Mexico. There is concern that this new strain of influenza has pandemic potential. On Wednesday 29 April, the WHO raised the level of the outbreak to phase 5 (there are 6 phases), reflecting sustained community level outbreaks in two or more countries in one WHO region.

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

However, the University is closely monitoring the situation and will be guided by the advice and recommendations issued by the 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'.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Ageing, is monitoring the outbreak and any implications for overseas travel.

In addition to the USA and Mexico, the following countries have reported confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1): Austria, Canada, China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Costa Rica, Colombia, Denmark, El Salvador, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

In relation to travel to Mexico, the current government travel advice is "reconsider your need to travel". Before considering travel to overseas destinations you should regularly check the websites listed below for Commonwealth travel advice and updates on the prevalence of suspected or confirmed cases.

• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
  
• WHO
  
• Department of Health and Ageing

There is a link to the Department of Health and Ageing website from the UWS Occupational Health and Safety website page.

The University will continue to provide further information as it becomes available.

If you have any queries, please contact UWS on 1800 632 885 or call the Commonwealth Swine Influenza Hotline on 1802007.

Professor Janice Reid
Vice-Chancellor

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