MERS-CoV has officially become a notifiable infectious disease in WA, as of today, following publication of a notice in the Government Gazette yesterday, MERS-CoV-notifiable (gazettal-HE402) 1July 2014 An accompanying notice (HE401) also designated MERS-CoV to be  a “dangerous infectious disease”, as defined in the Health Act 1911. The latter designation allows the use of formal powers, as outlined in section 251 of the Act, to order public health disease control measures such as isolation, quarantine, and testing, should this be necessary. […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 22 June 2014 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Non-influenza respiratory virus activity continues to increase; there are early indications of an increase in influenza activity.  ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and emergency departments (EDs) increased, but influenza notifications and hospitalisations remain low. The majority of influenza viruses subtyped in the past week were influenza A/H1N1, but influenza B and influenza A/H3 are also circulating. Detections of non-influenza respiratory viruses increased this week, and respiratory […]

Virus WAtch 15 June 2014 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Non-influenza virus activity, including respiratory syncytial virus, decreased this week, and influenza activity remains low. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) increased but influenza notifications remain low ILI presentations to emergency departments (EDs) decreased this week; hospital admissions for influenza remain low. The majority of influenza viruses subtyped in the past week were influenza A/H1N1, but influenza B and influenza A/H3 are also circulating. Detections of non-influenza respiratory […]

The purpose of this circular is to clarify regulations with regards to re-use of Single Use Devices (SUDs). In keeping with Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulations, SUDs should not be re-used in any WA public health system facility. You can view this and other Department of Health circulars at www.health.wa.gov.au/circularsnew.

The Infection Prevention & Control e-Learning Orientation Program for Healthcare Workers produced by the Australian Commission on Safety & Quality in Healthcare is now available. Visit  http://education.safetyandquality.gov.au/login.php to access the login page, alternatively the link can be found on the Commission’s HAI page under Clinician Capacity.

Virus WAtch Week Ending 8 June 2014 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Non-influenza virus activity increased this week, particularly respiratory syncytial virus, but influenza activity remains low. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and influenza notifications remain low. ILI presentations to emergency departments (EDs) increased this week; hospital admissions for influenza remain low. The majority of influenza viruses subtyped in the past week were influenza A/H1N1, but influenza A/H3N2 and influenza B viruses are also circulating. Detections of […]

The Operational Directive Healthcare Associated Infection Surveillance in Western Australian Healthcare Facilities has undergone revision and is now available on the website at http://www.health.wa.gov.au/circularsnew/circular.cfm?Circ_ID=13106

Virus WAtch Week Ending 1 June 2014 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Non-influenza virus activity increased this week, but influenza activity remains low. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and emergency departments (EDs), and influenza notifications and hospital admissions remain low. Of the influenza viruses subtyped in the past week, 50% were influenza A/H1N1, but influenza A/H3N2 and influenza B viruses are also circulating. Detections of non-influenza respiratory viruses increased this week, particularly respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, and […]

The Hunter health authority is warning peak gastro season has begun with aged care facilities and child care settings already falling victim to outbreaks. Find out more http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2302870/health-warning-after-gastro-outbreak/?cs=305

http://www.public.health.wa.gov.au/cproot/5768/2/20140518_virus_watch.pdf Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Influenza activity remains low. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and emergency departments (EDs) remain low; the number of persons hospitalised with influenza also remains low. There was a small increase in the number of influenza cases notified to the Department of Health. Influenza virus detections remain low, with influenza A/H1N1, influenza A/H3N2 and influenza B co-circulating. Overall detections of non-influenza respiratory virus detections remained stable this week, with RSV and rhinovirus […]