As you might be aware, a group of 25 Curtin students and their lecturer who are were on a study tour in Beijing, China, have been placed into quarantine as some of them have become infected with the H1N1 influenza virus (Swine Flu).

Currently the lecturer, five students and a local guide are infected and are in isolation in hospital. All of them are doing well and recovering. The remaining students do not have symptoms but are under quarantine in a hotel.

The University is working with International SOS (ISOS) and the relevant authorities, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Chinese Government, and medical authorities, to ensure that the group is receiving the best care and support possible.

Through ISOS, Curtin has appointed an independent medical doctor to regularly monitor those in hospital within the limitations of the regulations. Those in hospital have also been provided with laptops and mobile phones for external communication.

Curtin is also in hourly contact with the students quarantined in the hotel and is ensuring that all their needs are met. The students have already been in contact with their families in Australia and are able to have regular communication with them. The University is working to ensure that the students are able to leave China and return to Australia as soon as they have been cleared to do so.

Western Australia has now moved to the new national response phase, PROTECT, to manage the outbreak of swine flu. This new phase recognises that swine flu is a mild illness in most people. There are a number of changes under this phase:

• If you have been in contact with a confirmed case you will not routinely be placed in quarantine.
• Border protection measures at international airports are removed. If you have recently returned from Victoria or overseas countries where Swine Flu is prevalent, the voluntary exclusion policy no longer applies.
• The Department of Health will no longer routinely close schools/areas if people are found to have Swine Flu.
• If you have mild flu-like symptoms* without any risk factors, you need not go to a GP or hospital or to be tested for Swine Flu - the Department of Health recommends that 'you may stay at home and rest until you are well - most people will recover by themselves within a few days'.

Everyone should maintain good personal hygiene including covering your nose and mouth if sneezing and coughing, frequent hand washing and staying home if you are sick to help manage the spread of viruses in the university community.

Note that these measures are in place under the current stage of the pandemic. This advice will change as Swine Flu evolves.

* Mild flu-like symptoms are a of a combination of feeling feverish, sore throat, headache, stuffy nose with or without sneezing.

If you have flu-like symptoms* or you have been provided with a quarantine notice from the Department of Health:

1. Do not come onto campus;
2. Notify your lecturer via email; and
3. Send any medical certificates through the mail to your school/department.

We will acknowledge receipt of your notification in writing.

* What are 'flu-like' symptoms?

Flu-like symptoms is a fever of more than 38 degrees centigrade and two or more of the following symptoms:   runny nose, respiratory problems, coughs, headaches, body aches, shivering, exhaustion.

For further information:

• Phone the Influenza Hotline on 180 2007
• Phone HealthDirect on 1800 022 222
• Visit the Department of Health website or the Department of Health and Ageing: Health Emergency website.
• Phone your GP or Curtin Health Services on +61 8 9266 7345. Advise them over the phone of your illness before you visit them.

Those travelling to Mexico for Curtin-related activity:
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trading (DFAT) continues to rate Mexico as a Category 4 country, therefore we advise that suspension of all travel to Mexico continues.

Those travelling to the USA for Curtin-related activity:
Permission to travel to the USA will be required by the relevant Deputy Vice-Chancellor or Pro Vice-Chancellor.

Those travelling for leisure: DFAT has declared travel to Mexico as category four, 'Reconsider your need to travel'. For that reason, Curtin strongly recommends not travelling to Mexico until the threat has been downgraded. With the USA also badly affected, we recommend students and staff also reconsider their need for travel to the USA.

Before you travel:

• Vaccination against seasonal influenza two weeks prior to travel is recommended, although the degree of protection against this new influenza strain known as H1N1 09 (human swine influenza) is not clear. Consult your health care provider for travel medical advice and further guidance if you have specific concerns;

• Organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy.
  You should be aware that the Australian Government will not pay for your medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs;

• Register your travel and contact details with DFAT so they can contact you in an emergency;

• Subscribe to the travel advisory for your destination so you can be notified of any updates.

• Staff and students on authorised Curtin business will be tracked by International SOS (ISOS) and will be provided with regular advisory updates via emails and SMS.

While you're travelling in affected countries:

• Practise good basic hygiene at all times to minimise the risk of getting or spreading infectious diseases.
  Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face. Cover coughs and sneezes with a mask or a tissue.
  Avoid people who are obviously ill;

• Consult a doctor or the nearest hospital immediately if you develop flu-like symptoms.

While there is some uncertainty about the incubation period of the virus, the World Health Organization advises the incubation period for the virus is likely to be one to four days. For that reason, Curtin students and staff returning from Mexico will be required to remain home for up to 72 hours before they can return to Curtin. Staff should discuss leave entitlements with their human resources consultant. Staff may alternatively seek permission from their line manager to work at home during this period rather than taking leave.

Working from home

Having Virtual Private Network (VPN) access away from campus allows your home computer to connect to all your Curtin network drives, enabling you to work from home effectively.

The Remote access website has details of how to set up and pre-configure for VPN. We recommend accessing the information before leaving on your travels. If you wish to print out a copy of the information, PDF versions have been provided.

What is it?

Swine flu is an acute respiratory infection found in pigs, caused by the influenza A virus. Normally the virus only affects pigs, but with the right conditions, it can mutate to a form that can jump species and affect humans. The current swine flu outbreak is caused by a new H1N1 strain of the swine flu virus, which has done just that.

How is it transmitted?

Swine flu is likely to spread in the same ways traditional seasonal flu spreads between people. It's called droplet spread. When an infectious person coughs, sneezes, talks, etc, they expel contaminated droplets. If these droplets get into someone else's mouth, eyes or nose, that person can become infected with the virus.

These droplets can also get on objects like doorknobs, counters, desks, armrests etc. People also become infected by touching surfaces that have the flu virus on it and then touching their nose or mouth. This is why personal hygiene is critical to staying well.

It may also be possible that influenza spreads via "aerosol" transmission, where the where the virus floats in the air and infects people (particularly in crowded places).

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms are expected to be similar to that of regular human seasonal influenza: fever, lethargy, loss of appetite and coughing. Some reports indicate infected people may also have a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Can I be infected by eating pork or pork products?

No. Flu viruses cannot be transmitted by food. It is safe to eat pork and pork products that have been properly handled and/or sufficiently cooked. You can read the official statement about pork and pork products on the World Health Organization website.

Here are some simple things you can do to protect yourself and others from any form of influenza.

1. Wash your hands thoroughly [.pdf 481kb]

2. Keep your environment clean [.pdf 435kb]

3. Stay sensible, don't spread the sickness [.pdf 462kb]

4. Get a flu vaccine. See your GP and arm yourself against the flu season.

5. If you get sick, stay at home and visit your GP.

• Daily updates on the swine flu situation - World Health Organization

• Is it safe to travel? - World Health Organization

• Travel bulletin - Australian Government Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade

• Pandemic preparedness - International SOS

• Official statement about pork and pork products - World Health Organization

• H1N1 Flu - Centres for Disease Control and Prevention

• Protecting yourself and others - Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing