Sally Furniss
Well-known member
Swine flu alert levels confusing: expert
A leading Australian microbiologist says it is confusing for the public to have different levels of swine flu alert across the country.
Last week Victoria lifted its pandemic alert from the "contain" phase to the "sustain" phase, allowing authorities to protect the most vulnerable rather than trying to contain the virus.
Federal health authorities will meet tomorrow to discuss whether other states and territories should change their alert levels.
Head of microbiology at the Canberra Hospital, Professor Peter Collignon, says all states should follow Victoria's lead.
"This is a virus that is less severe than what we get every season in winter," he said.
"We should be adopting the approach that Canada has, most of the US has, and now Victoria, and treat this essentially as seasonal influenza, monitor what is going on and only change our practice if the virus changes."
There are now more than 1,200 cases of the virus in Australia, most of them in Victoria.
Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon says officials will consider whether the response is appropriate.
"As early as tomorrow it is possible that those alert levels will change because we need to have ongoing discussions about whether it is appropriate, given the numbers, given the way the disease is spreading, to continue to have jurisdictions on different phases," she said.
"But obviously this situation changes daily, and we need to ensure that we act upon the advice that is given to us."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/06/09/2593573.htm
A leading Australian microbiologist says it is confusing for the public to have different levels of swine flu alert across the country.
Last week Victoria lifted its pandemic alert from the "contain" phase to the "sustain" phase, allowing authorities to protect the most vulnerable rather than trying to contain the virus.
Federal health authorities will meet tomorrow to discuss whether other states and territories should change their alert levels.
Head of microbiology at the Canberra Hospital, Professor Peter Collignon, says all states should follow Victoria's lead.
"This is a virus that is less severe than what we get every season in winter," he said.
"We should be adopting the approach that Canada has, most of the US has, and now Victoria, and treat this essentially as seasonal influenza, monitor what is going on and only change our practice if the virus changes."
There are now more than 1,200 cases of the virus in Australia, most of them in Victoria.
Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon says officials will consider whether the response is appropriate.
"As early as tomorrow it is possible that those alert levels will change because we need to have ongoing discussions about whether it is appropriate, given the numbers, given the way the disease is spreading, to continue to have jurisdictions on different phases," she said.
"But obviously this situation changes daily, and we need to ensure that we act upon the advice that is given to us."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/06/09/2593573.htm