16 December 2005

Avian Influenza listed as notifiable disease

NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Health Paul McLeay today confirmed the inclusion of avian influenza in humans on the State's list of notifiable diseases.

Mr McLeay said that notification was a reasonable way to help ensure that any cases of avian influenza in humans were identified and isolated should people develop the condition after travelling overseas.

"Although the risk of person-to-person infection is very low, the disease has also, as a precaution, been added to the list of conditions that a person can be made subject to public health orders," Mr McLeay said.

From today, the Public Health Act 1991 has been amended to include the following Regulation:

• to include avian influenza in humans in the list of medical conditions that must be notified by medical practitioners, hospitals and laboratories to the Department of Health Director General;
• to require a person suffering from avian influenza to take reasonable precautions against spreading the condition;
• to allow the Director General to order a person to undergo a medical examination if he or she suspects on reasonable grounds that the person is suffering from avian influenza; and
• to allow an authorised medical practitioner, who is satisfied on reasonable grounds that a person is suffering from avian influenza, to make a public health order in respect of the person.

Mr McLeay said listing avian influenza in humans was a precaution to ensure laws were in place to help public health officials monitor and contain the spread of disease, should it enter NSW.

The World Health Organization reports there have been 137 cases of avian influenza in humans and 70 deaths. Cases have occurred in Thailand (22), Vietnam (93), Cambodia (4), Indonesia (13) and China (5). Most cases can be attributed to contact with sick birds.

Avian influenza has not been identified in Australia, either in bird flocks or in humans.

While the current strain of avian influenza is not easily spread from person to person, there are concerns that it could mutate into a form that could spread this way. Should this happen, it is feared a pandemic could follow.

Mr McLeay confirmed NSW Health was well prepared for a pandemic outbreak with the State's NSW Health Interim Influenza Pandemic Action Plan in place in all health facilities.
The Plan includes:

• a description of the national, state and local structural arrangements for a pandemic;
• a description of the key elements of preparedness and response, including for command, communications, surveillance, infection control, diagnostics, vaccination, case containment, health care infrastructure and workforces issues; and
• details of roles and responsibilities required in each phase of a pandemic.
  

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au