Advice to Deans and Directors
Approval process for travel to areas affected by H1 N1 (Swine) Influenza
The following provides advice on the approval process for staff and/or students travelling to areas/regions affected by H1 N1 (swine) flu.
Staff or students travelling to Mexico:
The following advice on the H1 N1 influenza threat in Mexico, has been published by DFAT:
On 28 April 2009, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade reissued the travel advisory for Mexico to advise Australians to reconsider their need to travel to Mexico due outbreaks of swine influenza. Australians who do not have essential business in Mexico should consider leaving. Australians intending to remain in Mexico should ensure that they have access to adequate supplies of food, water and other essentials.
On 24 April 2009 the World Health Organization (WHO) advised Australia of cases of outbreaks of a new strain of swine influenza in Mexico and the United States. Cases have since been confirmed in many countries. The WHO is providing regular updates on the location and number of confirmed cases on its website.
On 29 April 2009, the WHO raised the level of the influenza outbreak from phase 4 to phase 5 (of 6). The change to a higher phase of pandemic alert means that there is human-to-human spread in two countries in one WHO region. More information is available on the WHO website.
Governments in affected countries are taking appropriate measures and are being supported by the WHO. Most of those who have contracted the virus have experienced mild symptoms and then recovered. There have been confirmed deaths in Mexico (80), USA (10), Canada (1) and Costa Rico (1).
Vaccination against seasonal influenza two weeks prior to travel is still recommended, although the degree of protection against the new strain is not clear. Travellers should practice hand hygiene (washing and drying of hands) and respiratory etiquette (covering mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing). You should consult a doctor or the nearest hospital immediately if you develop flu-like symptoms. If unwell on your return to Australia with a respiratory illness (fever and cough) contact your General Practitioner by telephone. Let your GP know that you have travelled to an affected country.
The Australian Government is monitoring the situation. For more information you can call the Commonwealth Health Hotline on 1802007 or go to health.gov.au.
Given this advice, until further notice, all official travel to Mexico is subject to the following approval process:
- The relevant College Dean for staff;
- The Director, Human Resources, in the case of staff in Administrative Divisions; or
- The Registrar for student travel (including formal student exchange participants).
The relevant policy and associated documents are at the following links:
Where travel to Mexico is necessary, the area should arrange through the Director, HR, for the staff member or student to receive a public health briefing before departure.
Travel to other areas affected by H1 N1 influenza is subject to the normal University approval procedures, with an assessment of risk being undertaken by the delegate. In addition staff and students travelling to any affected area should keep informed on development, ensure the understand and practice good preventative hygiene measures and monitor their health carefully. All staff and students should seek medical advice should they display flu like symptoms when in, or returning from known H1 N1 areas or they have had recent contact with others returning from such areas. Further health information on H1 N1 is available by telephoning the Commonwealth Health Hotline for H1N1 Influenza 09 (Human Swine Influenza) on 180 2007.
Registration with DFAT Smart Traveller website
All staff and students travelling on ANU business are advised they should register overseas travel details and itinerary with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) Smart Traveller Website. This should also include private travel taken in conjunction with ANU business travel. Staff and students should also consider registering when travelling privately (on holidays etc) as this system allows DFAT and Embassy staff to contact, check on health and/or organise the evacuation of Australian citizens when disasters, terrorist attacks, pandemics or other events require such a response.
Staff and students are also urged to subscribe to travel advisory updates from the Smart Traveller site as these will keep you informed of changes to the travel advisories for the countries you will be travelling. You can register for these email updates at: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/accounts.
Deans and Directors are to ensure that all staff or students travelling to or returning from affected areas are briefed on advice provided by the Commonwealth Department of Health’s Travel Health Advisory. This information is available at the following link: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-swine_influenza-index.htm.
Version update 28 May 2009
