Public Health Alert - New strain of H1N1 influenza (Swine Flu)

An outbreak of severe pneumonia has been identified in Mexico and the south-western States of the USA. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) over 870 cases of pneumonia have occurred causing 62 deaths since March 2009. In 8 cases identified in the USA a new strain of H1N1 influenza has been isolated. The virus appears to be derived from a strain of swine influenza.

GPs are asked to consider a traveller who presents with:

• an Influenza Like Illness (ILI) (fever and cough and fatigue) and who has travelled to Mexico or California, Arizona, New Mexico or Texas in the past seven days
  or 
• pneumonia and who has travelled to Mexico or California, Arizona, New Mexico or Texas in the past seven days as potentially infected with the new strain of influenza A.
  
  Report any suspected cases immediately by telephone to the Communicable Disease Prevention & Control Unit on 1300 651 160 or through the after hours paging service 1300 790 733.

DOHA CMO Letter

DHS General Practitioner Alert Influenza A (H1N1) Virus