Deputy Premier and Health Minister Paul Lucas said Queensland would move to the “protect” phase of human swine flu influenza along with the Commonwealth and all other Australian states and territories.
Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon and Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer Jim Bishop this afternoon announced the move to the protect phase by next week following the continuing spread of the disease across Australia.
Mr Lucas said Queensland would move to the new phase from next Monday (June 22) but would keep its policy of school exclusions and school closures in place until the end of term next Friday (June 26).
Mr Lucas said the national decision focused on protecting those who are most vulnerable, such as pregnant women, the indigenous and those with respiratory illnesses or chronic disease.
“Health and science professionals have now been intensely studying and monitoring this disease for almost two months,” he said
“While this is still a new disease, the expert clinicians have advised the Commonwealth and the states the virus will be mild for most people.
“However, there is still a significant number of people in our community who have been identified at greatest risk of complications and our focus will be on them.
“Across Australia health authorities will pull back on measures, such as border nurses, and focus on protecting those most at risk from the disease.
“This is particularly important as we get into our ‘normal’ influenza season.”
Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the extra week of possible school closures followed by school holidays provided a circuit breaker, further lessening the spread and the potential impacts to the community.
“Everything we have been doing has been designed to delay the outbreak from being widespread.” Dr Young said.
“We have an opportunity because our flu season starts later than some places so we’re using that to our advantage.
“I appreciate that while at times it has been testing and disruptive, these measures have been effective and stand us in good stead.”
Dr Young said some of the measures in the new phase included protecting high-risk institutional settings such as special schools from outbreaks.
All school children exhibiting a flu-like illness will be asked to stay home.
In the general community, voluntary home isolation will apply only to those who are sick.
Mass gatherings such as sporting events and shows or travel and tourism will not be cancelled but those people who are sick will be expected to consider others and stay home.
As advised by Minister Roxon, those who fall into the “vulnerable” category are also advised to think carefully before attending large events to minimize their risk of contracting the flu.
Dr Young said extensive H1N1 Influenza 09 testing had been carried out in Queensland and it appeared there was minimal community spread so far. However, it is expected the situation could change rapidly considering the escalation in cases elsewhere in Australia.
“This phase means an end to border measures such as screening incoming passengers at international airports, though international airlines will still be required to report sick travellers,” Dr Young said.
“Our approach is consistent with the message from the WHO when it lifted its Pandemic Alert to 6, that countries will need to adjust their responses to accommodate the knowledge we now have that this disease is mild in most cases, severe in some and moderate overall.”
Mr Lucas paid tribute to those working on the response to the human swine influenza outbreak.
“Our health workers have done a fantastic job responding to human swine influenza. I thank the professionals in Queensland Health, other government and private agencies, the medical profession, pathology providers and the community working on the overall response which will continue throughout the flu season,” Mr Lucas said.
Media inquiries: Robert Hoge 0419 757 868
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