Prevention tips for staff to limit the spread of the Human-Swine Flu
As Victoria has moved to the ‘sustain’ phase of managing the spread of the Human-Swine Flu virus, there are a number of simple measures you can take to limit the spread of the illness. These measures are being adopted in a number of workplaces and require only a minimal change in your daily routines.
- Regularly wash your hands throughout the day. Consider personal use of alcohol-based hand sanitiser gel, which is commonly available for purchase from pharmacies and supermarkets.
- If possible, keep a reasonable distance (about a metre) during your contact with people who indicate that they have been diagnosed with Human-Swine Flu or think they may have this illness.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in a plastic-lined rubbish bin after you use it. Then wash your hands. If you do not have a tissue, you can cough or sneeze into your sleeve or inner elbow.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Limit personal contact (i.e. handshaking) where possible.
- Wash your hands afterwards if you have been in contact with a person or material (such as paperwork) from someone suspected of having this illness, before moving on to other business.
- Wipe flat or shared surfaces at work with a disinfectant wipe regularly throughout the day. Disinfectant wipes are available for purchase from the University’s contracted stationery supplier, Lyreco (eg Impega Cleaning Multi-Purpose Wipes, Product Code 322.239) or from pharmacies or supermarkets.
- Practice good hygiene in staff rooms and where there is shared preparation of food.
- Don’t attend work if you are ill, and go home if you fall ill during the day.
- Seek medical advice from your General Practitioner, and do this with minimal delay if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are pregnant. Initial medical advice from a registered nurse is also available from the Victorian Department of Human Services, Nurse On Call Service: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/nurseoncall/.
- Let your supervisor know if you are suspected or confirmed as having Human-Swine Flu and will be absent from work, or are caring for a family member with this illness.
Update 20 October 2009: vaccination is now available to all staff.