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Hunter screening clinic established for Pacific Dawn passengers
Hunter New England Health has today established a dedicated screening station for passengers who returned from the Pacific Dawn cruise ship earlier this week.
Residents in the Greater Newcastle region who were passengers on the Pacific Dawn cruise ship which arrived in Sydney this week are encouraged to present to the John Hunter Hospital Emergency Department if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
Presentations will be directed to a screening station for rapid assessment of Human Swine Influenza H1N1.
Public Health Physician Dr David Durrheim said there had been no confirmed cases of swine influenza in the Hunter New England Health region to date, but it was important for passengers with influenza-like symptoms to present to the screening clinic.
“Some passengers and crew from this ship have reported influenza-like illness and there have been several confirmed cases from this particular cruise,” Dr Durrheim said.
“Any community member in the Greater Newcastle area who was a passenger on the Pacific Dawn and has influenza symptoms should immediately present to the screening station at John Hunter Hospital, or their nearest emergency department if they are outside the Greater Newcastle area,” he said.
The necessity of Tamiflu antiviral medication will also be made available at the screening clinic.
“Other passengers who have not reported illness are advised to remain in home quarantine for a period of seven days, in an effort to prevent the spread of Human Swine Influenza. These passengers do not require Tamiflu, however if they develop symptoms we would ask them to present to the screening clinic for assessment, Dr Durrheim said.
“We need to remain vigilant and take all appropriate measures to contain the spread of this virus,” he said.
The symptoms of Human Swine Influenza H1N1 are similar to normal influenza (fever, cough, tiredness, muscle aches, sore throat, chills, shortness of breath, runny nose, headache). Some cases of Human Swine Influenza have also complained of vomiting and diarrhoea.
A public health information line has been established for friends, family or contacts of those on the Pacific Dawn cruise who may have questions or concerns. This number is (02) 9424 5760. More information about Human Swine Influenza available at the NSW Health website: www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/swine_flu.asp
The rapid screening clinic is for residents in the Greater Newcastle and Lower Hunter region who are experiencing flu-like symptoms and were passengers on the Pacific Dawn cruise which docked in Sydney this week. All other passengers in the Upper Hunter, Lower Mid North Coast or New England region are requested to present to their nearest emergency department for assessment.
The Hunter screening clinic is located at:
John Hunter Hospital Emergency Department
Lookout Road, New Lambton Heights
Contact:
Phone:
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