Pandemic Influenza Updates
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News and Updates
Current Status
WITT is closely monitoring the pandemic influenza A (H1NI) - (Mexican Swine Influenza). There is as yet no cause for alarm and little evidence that WITT will be majorly affected however we will continue to update staff and students on developments as they unfold.
New Zealand is currently at Code Yellow status.
For planning purposes the different stages of the health response in an influenza pandemic have been grouped and defined with colour codes: Code White, Code Yellow, Code Red and Code Green.
More information on these alert codes is included in the
New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Action Plan
. In summary the codes mean:
Code White is information/advisory only, used in the planning stages of pandemic preparedness and for notification to the health sector of areas of concern overseas.
Code Yellow is a standby phase, used to alert the health sector when there has been a significant development in the virus overseas, or single isolated cases in New Zealand.
Code Red is the response phase, used to alert the health sector that they should activate their response plans.
Code Green is to notify the health sector to standdown response and move into the recovery phase.
(Sourced from Ministry of Health website
http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/pandemicinfluenza-alertstatus
)
Updated 25/06/2009
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WHAT IS INFLUENZA AND WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Influenza (the flu) is a highly infectious illness caused by a virus. It is much more serious than a common cold and can leave you ill for up to 10 days. Symptoms of influenza can take up to three days to show. Symptoms for influenza include the following : -
- Sudden onset of illness
- Fever above 38 degrees Celsius
- Fatigue
- Muscle pains
- Runny nose/cough/sore throat
- In some cases, people also have vomiting and diarrhoea
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WHAT DO I DO IF I DEVELOP INFLUENZA LIKE SYMPTOMS?
If you become sick, stay in your residence for seven days from the time symptoms begin or until you have been symptom free for 24 hours, which ever is longer. Please notify the Health Clinic at WITT 7573100 ext 8775 and talk to the WITT Campus Nurse so we can record and monitor incidences of influenza at WITT.
Further advice on influenza can be sourced from
Healthline 0800 611 116.
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How can i find out more information?
The Ministry of Health (MoH) website contains the most up-to-date information on Influenza A H1NI related to New Zealand. Click here to visit the MoH website.
The Taranaki District Health Board (TDHB) website also has excellent up-to-date information on Influenza AH1NZ. Click here to visit the TDHB website.
For a reader friendly explanation of Swine Flu click here to visit the Nexus research Group website (created by Taranaki's own Michael and Christine Fenton).
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- All examinations are being held as scheduled.
- Contact your faculty/department administrator if you will be or are absent from an exam for any reason.
- Students should refer to WITT's Assessment Policy for further information.
Updated 29/06/2009
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Staff Leave Provisions and Other HR Issues
The following arrangements will come into effect immediately and will remain in force until further notice. Key points to note are:
- Staff exhibiting flu-like symptoms must stay away from the workplace, and their line managers can require them to do so.
- Staff absent for reasons associated with H1N1 outbreak will be granted paid sick leave, including advance on sick leave entitlement, as necessary.
- Staff who need to remain at home to care for dependants during H1N1 outbreak will be granted paid sick leave (as above) for this purpose.
- Staff absent from the workplace should keep in communication contact with their line manager, so that their absence and subsequent return to work can be properly managed.
- For further details on the WITT's management of staff absence and other employment-related matters impacted by the H1N1 outbreak, please contact Human Resources.
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Travel Guidance
- There is currently no stand-down period for WITT travellers returning from overseas.
- Staff wishing to travel abroad should discuss with their managers.
Please visit the websites below for travel advice and information:
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Spread of Infection
Hand hygiene is still the single most effective measure in protecting yourself. Wash your hands with soap and water regularly and dry them thoroughly.
In most situations, following these guidelines is adequate.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Avoid bodily contact, including shaking hands, sharing drink bottles and food.
- Wash your hands after using shared computer keyboards.
- Maintain social distancing - 1 metre distance is optimal.
- Reduce time spent in crowded social settings.
If you become sick, stay in your residence for seven days from the time symptoms begin or until you have been symptom free for 24 hours, which ever is longer.
Click here
for further information from the MoH website on how to protect and care for yourself and others.
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On Campus Accommodation
On arrival at the Accommodation on Bell, please advise office staff immediately if you are exhibiting any of the following symptoms.
- High Fever
- Coughing and Sneezing
- Sore Throat
- Body Aches
- Chills and Extreme Fatigue
- Vomiting and Diarrhoea
If you are exhibiting two or more of these symptoms, you may be placed into a quarantine area until you are cleared of infection. Accommodation on Bell staff will assist you during this time.
For all other students, including Home Stay, on exhibiting two or more of the above symptoms, you must advise your host or call the Health Line 0800 611 116. You should limit any contact with others as much as possible during this time.
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Arriving Students
A number of students will be arriving at WITT for second semester. Some of these students will be accommodated in the on campus accommodation, some will be in Home Stays and others to alternative accommodations.
Arriving travellers are screened on arrival at New Zealand's borders. If any exhibit symptoms of Influenza, health authorities will take appropriate actions. All other travellers are provided with information of what to do if they become ill in the following days.
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Latest All Staff Update
Colleagues,
This will be the last e-mail from me on the ‘flu for several weeks unless there is a significant change in status. We have got to the end of semester one pretty well intact which is objective #1 achieved.
The status today is unchanged with only one case in Taranaki identified.
A note about students and exams – please read;
Procedures to apply can be found in the Policy on Assessment in the QMS. Clause 4.19 states" An application for an aegrotat pass must be made in writing on the prescribed form to the HOF, no later than seven days after the date of the assessmsnt, other than in exceptional circumstances".
Students should attach supporting documentation such as a doctors certificate or a note from the nurse in the Health Centre which we will accept under the policy.
Students who are unable to attend competency based assessmnet should notify their tutor as soon as possible and provision will be made for assessment to occur on another occasion.
Regards
Richard
Richard Handley
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Updated 30/6/2009
Click here
for previous all staff updates.
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