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Swine Flu Outbreak - Information

Current Information as of:

11 June 2009

  • DFAT has maintained the travel advisories on affected countries. Please refer to www.smartraveller.com for further information
  • On the basis of available evidence and expert assessments of the evidence, the scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met. The Director-General of WHO has therefore decided to raise the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 5 to phase 6. At this time, WHO considers the overall severity of the influenza pandemic to be moderate.

For more up-to-date information please refer to the sites listed under further information

What is Swine Flu?

Swine influenza, or "swine flu", is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs, caused by one of several swine influenza A viruses. There are no vaccines that contain the current swine influenza virus causing illness in humans. It is not known whether current human seasonal influenza vaccines can provide any protection. Influenza viruses change very quickly. In Mexico, 1300 people admitted to hospital with symptoms and 81 deaths in Mexico, allegedly related to the Swine Flu.

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What current Swinburne students abroad should do?

  1. The list of countries that have cases of Swine Flu has grown rapidly. You are advised to exercise a high degree of caution and you should consult a doctor or the nearest hospital immediately if you develop flu-like symptoms. To protect yourself in your host country and while you travel, practice general preventive measures for influenza:
    • Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and who have fever and cough.
    • Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly.
    • Practice respiratory etiquette (covering mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing)
    • Practice good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active.
    • Consider purchasing a good quality face mask.
    • Consult a doctor or the nearest hospital immediately if you develop flu-like symptoms.
    The following advice has been sought from the Swinburne Health Service: "If you display flu-like symptoms (ie sore throat, fever) you should seek urgent medical advice. Students who are affected most likely will have to be isolated."
  2. Make sure that you are registered with the smart traveller website www.orao.dfat.gov.au/orao/weborao.nsf/homepage?Openpage so you can be contacted if the situation escalates. If you have already registered, you should double check your registered information to ensure it is accurate. If you don't hold an Australian passport, please seek further advice from the embassy or consulate-general of your home country.
  3. Please submit an incident report by completing the Swine Flu Incident Report form. The form aims to ensure that we obtain accurate information that are provided to you locally therefore we can assist you accordingly.
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Students on exchange in Mexico

The current DFAT Travel Advisory warning for Mexico is "reconsider your need to travel" as at 11/06/09.

We continue to strongly recommend that you consider leaving Mexico. In Australia there has been media speculation about tighter border securities if the Swine Flu situation escalates further. We are investigating issues surrounding what happens if borders are in fact closed. We have spoken to 'International SOS' who have indicated that if borders are completely closed for any country then International SOS cannot legally evacuate insurance policy holders. It is unclear whether border closing is likely to occur, but we will keep you informed as to what we ascertain from our contacts.

Again, Swinburne highly recommends that if you are concerned for your health or anxious about issues of exiting Mexico / re-entering Australia you should consider leaving Mexico. We will continue to support all students who choose to stay in Mexico and provide regular updates on information and any assistance we can. We recognise that those of you staying have told us that both you and your parents are more comfortable with you staying, rather than have you travel during this time of unease. Please keep us updated with your feelings with respects to your safety.

Those who are leaving Mexico in response to health and safety concerns, we will provide support and endeavour to ensure that you are not disadvantaged with respect to your academic outcomes from your Exchange semester. Please maintain vigilant watch for updated information from host universities (ITESM and UDEM), Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade, SOS International, World Health Organisation. Swinburne Abroad will be monitoring developments and will provide students with regular updates.

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Students on exchange in other regions around the world

Regardless of which country you are currently in, Swinburne Abroad urges you all to maintain vigilant watch for updated information from your host universities, Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade, International SOS, and World Health Organisation. Make sure you read the information about what current Swinburne students abroad should do. Swinburne Abroad will be monitoring developments and will provide students with regular updates.

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International SOS

Swinburne has contracted International SOS to provide health and security advice for students and staff traveling overseas on University business. The International SOS website contains very useful information about the latest health and security issues - you can visit the 'Swinburne' section of the International SOS site by visiting www.internationalsos.com. You need to enter the corporate account number on your International SOS card into the login window.

The International SOS website provides you with specific country information, 24/7 information updates, and gives you emergency numbers to call for medical assistance almost anywhere in the world.

Swinburne provides this service free-of-charge to all Swinburne Abroad students.

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Information for international students concerned about family and friends in Mexico

If you are concerned by the news about the Swine influenza pandemic, you are reminded of the following services available to you as a Swinburne student, should you need them:
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Further Information

For further updated information, please review the following websites;

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Contact

Commonwealth Health Hotline for Swine Influenza: 1802007

Swinburne Abroad emergency contact: +61 414 324 714

If you have any other questions or concerns please email exchange@swin.edu.au or kdocking@swin.edu.au

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