On 1 December 2010, Australia moved from the PROTECT phase to the ALERT phase of its pandemic plan.

ALERT is the phase between pandemics (disease activity at seasonal levels). The key element of the ALERT phase is heightened vigilance for a new influenza virus or an antigenic change in a current circulating influenza virus, which may be of concern¹.

The Department of Health & Ageing through its Chief Medical Officer Jim Bishop, and with advice from the Australian Health Protection Committee, has moved to the ALERT phase, which means it is now focussing on routine surveillance for influenza, which includes medical practitioner and laboratory notification of laboratory confirmed cases as well as sentinel surveillance from general practice (Metropolitan, Regional and the Melbourne Medical Deputising Service), hospitals and Intensive Care Units. It will continue to promote the uptake of the H1N1-specific vaccine (Panvax) – which will remain freely available until 31 December 2010 and trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine¹.

The Department also advised that it is not too late for those who have not been immunized against the H1N1 influenza virus or seasonal influenza to protect themselves from a potentially serious and possibly fatal illness. The most recent Australian Influenza Surveillance Report indicates that Australia has seen a particularly late peak in the 2010 influenza season, with levels this season similar to those reported in 2007 and 2008 and significantly lower than that observed during 2009. They also indicate that pandemic influenza is behaving as per seasonal influenza. Levels of influenza-like illness and laboratory confirmed notifications in the community continue to decrease through all surveillance systems, with sporadic and regional influenza activity being reported within jurisdictions. In 2010, 71% of all notifications for influenza have been pandemic (H1N1) 2009. 80% of influenza hospitalisations have been associated with pandemic (H1N1) 2009^1,2.

Immunisation providers should dispose of their expired stock into medical waste as per normal practice for the seasonal influenza program¹.

Australians who wish to receive information about A(H1N1) ‘swine influenza' should contact:

• Health information - call the Australian Government hotline on 1802 007 or visit http://www.healthemergency.gov.au
• Travel advice - visit http://www.smartraveller.gov.au

References

1.  Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing statement. Here

2.  Australian Health Minister's "Alert" Media Release. Here  

Other useful links:

Australia:

Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing

Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza

International:

World Health Organization

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

NZ Ministry of Health