Virus WAtch Week Ending 22 February 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Influenza and non-influenza respiratory virus activity remain low and at inter-seasonal levels. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) remain low this week. ILI presentations to sentinel emergency departments (EDs) increased this week. Routine and sentinel detections of influenza virus remain low, with influenza A/H3N2 constituting the majority of subtyped viruses; influenza A/H1N1 and influenza B continue to co-circulate. Detections of non-influenza respiratory viruses remain low. Gastroenteritis […]

The latest MMWR outlines investigations into probable transmission of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) during surgical procedures in the US in 2010 and 2011 http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6407a1.htm?s_cid=mm6407a1_e  

Virus WAtch Week Ending 15 February 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Influenza and non-influenza respiratory virus activity remain low and at inter-seasonal levels. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and emergency departments (EDs) remain low this week. Routine and sentinel detections of influenza virus remain low, with influenza A/H3N2 constituting the majority of subtyped viruses; influenza A/H1N1 and influenza B continue to co-circulate. Detections of non-influenza respiratory viruses remain steady and low, with a slight increase in […]

A new study from the University of Manchester has revealed that the incidence of dermatitis has increased 4.5 times in healthcare workers following increased hand hygiene as a drive to reduce infections such as MRSA. Researchers from the university’s Institute of Population Health studied reports voluntarily submitted by dermatologists to a national database which is run by the university, between 1996 and 2012. Sixty percent of eligible UK dermatologists used this database which is designed to report skin problems caused or aggravated […]

As of midday on Tuesday 17th of February nine (9) cases of Hepatitis A have been diagnosed in three states of Australia – Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. These nine (9) cases have been linked to the consumption of 1kg packets of Nanna’s Frozen Mixed Berries. This product has been recalled. General practices are advised to be alert for patients who develop symptoms of Hepatitis A and to enquire as to any exposure to frozen berries of the implicated […]

SAVELIVES Newsletter February 2015 5 May 2015 – Campaign Theme and Activities “Strengthening health-care systems and delivery – hand hygiene is your entrance door”.  This statement embodies all that we know about hand hygiene and how important it is in saving lives wherever vulnerable people are cared for.  This is the theme for 5 May 2015!  Use this opportunity to demonstrate that clean hands in health care are a quality indicator of overall health-care standards.  

Virus WAtch Week Ending 8 February 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Influenza and non-influenza respiratory virus activity remain low and at inter-seasonal levels. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and emergency departments (EDs) decreased this week and remain low. Routine and sentinel detections of influenza virus remain low, with influenza A/H3N2 constituting the majority of subtyped viruses; influenza A/H1N1 and influenza B continue to co-circulate. Detections of non-influenza respiratory viruses remain steady and low. Gastroenteritis Presentations to […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 1 February 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Influenza and non-influenza respiratory virus activity remain low and at inter-seasonal levels. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and emergency departments (EDs) remain low. Routine and sentinel detections of influenza virus remain low, with influenza A/H3N2 constituting the majority of subtyped viruses; influenza A/H1N1 and influenza B continue to co-circulate. Detections of non-influenza respiratory viruses increased slightly but remain low overall. Gastroenteritis Presentations to sentinel GPs […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 25 January 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Influenza and non-influenza respiratory virus activity remain low and at inter-seasonal levels. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and emergency departments (EDs) remain low. Routine and sentinel detections of influenza virus remain low, with influenza A/H3N2 constituting the majority of subtyped viruses; influenza A/H1N1 and influenza B continue to co-circulate. Detections of non-influenza respiratory viruses were low. Gastroenteritis Presentations to sentinel GPs remain elevated and above […]

All WA public hospitals and health care facilities are required to immediately commence implementation of the minimum requirements for the safe storage of temperature-sensitive medicines and vaccines in dedicated medication refrigerators as outlined in the Operational Directive OD 0587/15. OD 0587 15 WA Health Safe Use of Medication Refrigerators Policy WA Health Safe Use of Medications Policy