Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Information for Primary Health Care Workers

You will be aware of the widespread worldwide concern that the current outbreak of Avian Influenza caused by the H5N1 virus might mutate, resulting in a new viral strain that could trigger a human influenza pandemic.

There were three influenza pandemics last century and all started by different influenza viruses.  Experts agree that another pandemic could happen at any time.

Primary Health Care is fundamental to pandemic planning as it will be in the frontline of action to minimise the impact of pandemic influenza.  The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners – the lead agency for the General Practice Leaders’ Forum – the College of Practice Nurses (NZNO) and the Ministry of Health are working together to ensure that the Primary Health Care sector gets quick and accurate information.   At the moment New Zealand is working within the WHO pandemic alert period, phase 3, MoH Code White.

The following kit is designed to assist Primary Care in planning for the pandemic. This kit is a resource for pandemic preparedness and should be kept in your workplace.  It includes posters for both staff and patients that should be prominently displayed in the event of a pandemic occurring. The kit contains:

  • A poster advising respiratory health awareness following international travel
  • A poster on hygiene and infection control for primary health care workers
  • A fact sheet on influenza
  • A fact sheet on infection control for Primary Health Care workers, and
  • Magnets (1, 2 and 3) which will be printed and sent separately.

These resources can also be downloaded from the Ministry website: www.health.govt.nz/pandemicinfluenza.  Hard copies will be delivered later in November.  As we learn more about the H5N1 virus and the potential for a pandemic outbreak, more specific clinical information, such as case definitions, will be made available.

It is recommended that practices establish effective Infection Control Practices now and fully train staff in their use.

It is also recommended that practices should have sufficient supplies of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to last at least for six weeks and preferably for three months. 

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) consists of:

• Surgical Masks for both staff and patients

• N95 masks for very close patient contact situations

• Gloves

• Goggles or face shields

• Disposal gowns

• Sufficient supplies of hand washing gel and paper disposal towels.